Constance Zimmer secretly battled breast cancer earlier this year.

The 55-year-old actress - who has 18-year-old Colette with husband Russ Lamoureux - was diagnosed with an early form of the disease while promoting her series Love Story in March and she's recalled how the immediate aftermath of getting a call from her doctor was "overwhelming".

She wrote on Instagram: "October is #breastcancerawarenessmonth and I never thought I'd be honoring it with my own story.

"I never thought I'd be honouring it with my own story.

"On March 13th when I was away from home - I heard these words from my doctor over zoom: 'You have DCIS, also referred to as Stage 0 breast cancer.'

"The silence was deafening.

Here I was surrounded by women sharing their secrets about their Midlife truths - and I was holding onto the biggest secret I'd ever held.

"First, I had to call my husband and get home to tell our daughter in person.

"The mental toll that followed was overwhelming on certain days as I began talking to many more doctors then I would've liked."

Constance was advised to undergo a mastectomy but surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk listened to her concerns and came up with a plan that would save the actress' breast.

She continued: "Feeling like my options were limited and most suggested what was the quickest way to get this mass out ASAP, which was a mastectomy.

"What if that's not what I want? What if I want to save my boob instead?

"Thankfully, after talking with @drkristifunk, she said: 'I think we can try a lumpectomy, I feel confident I can get it out.'

"She was the first doctor to make me feel like what I wanted mattered and that made me weep with joy.

"It did take 3 surgeries - 3 weeks in a row, but she did it, she saved my breast and it looks good too!

"During all of this I was out on a very public press tour for Love Story, while keeping my diagnosis and treatment private. I then followed my surgeries with radiation, while celebrating my Emmy Nomination."

After revealing Kristi will be appearing on her Talk Fifty To Me podcast this week, the Entourage star stressed she is now cancer-free.

She wrote: "I'm grateful to be CANCER FREE and thankful to @cathrinewhite for capturing me for the first time since my diagnosis, celebrating what my body got me through over the last 7 months: pure shock and fear alongside pure joy and gratitude.

"From hospital gowns to Emmy glamour this was one hell of a ride.(sic)"

Constance's surgeon was among those to comment on the post.

She wrote: "Every woman deserves to feel heard, empowered, and supported in making decisions about her own body and her own cancer care.

"I am so proud of you, so happy for you, and so grateful to have helped in a dark moment - and now, you're sharing your story - so brave! You are beautiful inside and out - this is just the beginning of your 50+ chapter.

"Love you - and see you Tuesday!!(sic)"