Exec Fired After Breast Cancer Treatment Sues

Former development and casting executive Blythe Asher is suing E! News and NBCUniversal, claiming she was fired after her breast cancer treatment caused a dip in her performance. Asher was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. A complication from her treatment led to lymphedema, which caused significant swelling in her arm. Asher claims an E! executive suggested that she wear a poncho to mask the swelling, and then she received a low performance rating in her annual review. Asher claims her appearance was “paramount to her employment,” and the lymphedema is the reason she was terminated, to be replaced by a “younger, less experienced, physically attractive, and cancer-free individual.” E! declined to comment on personnel issues.