Teenage Actress Miranda McKeon Undergoes Double Mastectomy
On Wednesday, November 10, Miranda McKeon underwent the next step in her breast cancer journey: a double mastectomy that will leave her officially cancer-free and significantly reduce her risk of cancer recurrence in the future.
The 19-year-old college student and actress, best known for her role as Josie Pye in Netflix's original series "Anne with an E," first found a lump in her breast in June. She immediately scheduled an appointment with her doctor, where she underwent an ultrasound and biopsy.
On June 14, she got the call: It was stage 3 breast cancer.
Teenage breast cancer is extremely rare, with only 1 in 1 million 15- to 19-year-olds diagnosed, according to a 2020 report published by the American Cancer Society.
"I wouldn't have chosen this, I didn't choose this, I don't think anyone would choose this," McKeon shared in an interview with People shortly after her diagnosis. "But I'm making it my job to try and pull something out of this."
'I'm hoping that by documenting a good majority of this, that someone else will be able to read it down the line when they need it, and they can find comfort and healing through it in the way that I do writing it.'
The last five months have been a whirlwind of ultrasounds, mammograms, consultations with surgeons and oncologists, chemotherapy and shaving her head.
Through the process, McKeon has found catharsis in journaling her experience through her blog and Instagram. "I'm hoping that by documenting a good majority of this, that someone else will be able to read it down the line when they need it, and they can find comfort and healing through it in the way that I do writing it," she said.
After finishing eight rounds of chemo, McKeon announced on Instagram that she will be having a sensation-preserving mastectomy. "Whereas with traditional mastectomies, women are left mostly totally numb in their chest, I will have a sensation-preserving mastectomy, which is safe from an oncologic standpoint but more care is taken when cutting nerves and nerve grafts are done to reconstruct cut nerves," McKeon explained.
She also thanked her mom for helping her research the best options for her.
"As always, I can't thank everyone enough for their continued support," McKeon concluded her post. "The people in my life show up for me each and everyday in ways that are so tender and heartwarming. I'm one lucky girl!!!!!!"
The final step in her breast cancer treatment will be radiation, which will begin following her mastectomy.
