Colleen Hoover, one of the most successful and recognizable names in contemporary romance literature, has been quietly facing a serious health challenge even as her professional life reaches new heights. The Texas-born author, whose bestselling novels It Ends With Us and Regretting You are being adapted for the screen, revealed that she has been undergoing treatment for cancer.
Hoover shared an update on her health journey in January 2026, informing her followers on Instagram that she had reached the second-to-last day of radiation treatment. Posting candidly through her Instagram Stories, she attempted to keep her trademark humor intact while acknowledging the difficulty of the process. “I wish I could blame my hair and facial expressions on @Texas.Oncology, but they’ve been great. Hope you never need them, but highly recommend them,” she wrote.
News of Hoover’s cancer battle first became public in December 2025, when she addressed the situation in a Facebook post that was later shared by content creator Katyinkc. In that message, the author explained that she had postponed addressing certain health issues while production on the film adaptation of Reminders of Him was underway. After returning home, medical evaluations revealed that she had cancer.
According to Hoover, the cancer was successfully removed through surgery, though follow-up radiation treatment was necessary. She described the experience as frightening and overwhelming at times, noting that it forced her to miss significant professional and personal milestones, including the premiere of Regretting You. She added that she chose not to speak publicly about her diagnosis until she had more clarity about her prognosis and treatment outcome.
In a subsequent Facebook post shared in January 2026, Hoover provided further insight into her diagnosis. She revealed that genetic testing showed her cancer was not inherited and was not linked to two of the most common causes associated with the disease, HPV or excessive hormones. Instead, she said doctors believe the cancer was more likely tied to environmental or lifestyle factors such as stress, poor diet and lack of exercise.
Despite the seriousness of her condition, Hoover maintained her humor while reflecting on the lifestyle changes she has been encouraged to make. Joking about her dislike for vegetables, exercise and sweating, she quipped that if anyone saw her at the gym or ordering grilled chicken and water at a restaurant, she was “probably real mad about it.” At the same time, she emphasized that she is grateful to be alive and optimistic about her recovery.
Hoover has not publicly disclosed the specific type of cancer she has been battling, and it remains unclear exactly when she was diagnosed. As of January 2026, she has not yet confirmed that she is cancer-free, but her recent updates indicate she is nearing the end of radiation treatment and steadily progressing toward recovery.
As fans continue to celebrate her literary success and anticipate upcoming film adaptations of her work, many have also rallied around the author, offering support as she navigates one of the most challenging chapters of her life.
