Rachel Zegler reveals she had a breast cancer scare and encourages people to get checked often

“Two years ago, I found a lump in my breast and went through what was undoubtedly the scariest week of my life,” she wrote

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 2:58 PM EDTSEP 26, 2022, 2:58 PM EDT

Rachel Zegler took to social media to share details about a health scare. The 21-year-old West Side Story star revealed on her Instagram Stories a snap of the scar she had after a biopsy to discover she had breast cancer when she was 19.

“Two years ago, I found a lump in my breast and went through what was undoubtedly the scariest week of my life,” she wrote over the photo. “No OB/GYN was taking new patients due to the backlog of the pandemic, but I was fortunate to have the care of my pediatrician who prescribed me an ultrasound, which led to an out-patient biopsy procedure,” she added. “Thankfully, it was benign.”

“And now the scar serves as a reminder to check my breasts regularly for any irregular growth – the fibroadenoma in my left breast is a common occurrence but nevertheless extremely scary to find. Early detection saves lives!!! Check your titty meat :),” Zegler suggested.

This is not the first time the Golden Globe winner has shared details about her health. In 2018, she shared on Twitter how she was dealing with depression and other mental health issues. “Hello. My name is Rachel. I suffer from anxiety and depression and occasionally feel depersonalized/disassociated from reality. I am a work in progress. I am finding the common ground between me and my mind. And that’s enough. But please, ask if I’m okay. #EndTheStigma,” she wrote.

Zegler’s new gig is in the upcoming Disney’s Snow White movie. “Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts. Her strength, intelligence, and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale,” movie director Marc Webb said in a statement.

According to CNN, Snow White’s production began in 2022. “I HAVE MANIFESTED MY ENTIRE LIFE I THINK I THINK,” said the Colombian New Jersey-born actress on Twitter. The 20-year-old rising star also shared a video from when she met Snow White with the caption, “homegirl, we have LOTS to catch up on.”

But this is not the first time Zegler has played the role of a princess. The actress was raised in Clifton, New Jersey, and attended Immaculate Conception High School, where she starred in the school’s musicals.

In 2016 she became Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Ariel in The Little Mermaid in 2017; the following year, she played Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street, and during her senior year, she transformed into Fiona in Shrek the Musical.