Published Jun 25, 2021

Frustrated ‘Anne With An E’ Star Miranda McKeon, 19, Cannot Sleep or Eat as She Starts Treatment for Breast Cancer; What To Know About Screening

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‘Anne With An ‘E’ star Miranda McKeon has started treatment for breast cancer, one week after revealing her diagnosis. The 19-year-old actress and student at University of Southern California said it will take a year to beat the disease, and that her cancer is currently contained to her right breast and lymph nodes.

The actress, who has been sharing her journey, said that she is feeling frustrated after arriving in New York City to begin treatment.

“The excitement of test results, consultations, and bustle of week one is over. While I still have many more appointments, generally, I now know the course of the next few months,” wrote McKeon in a lengthy Instagram post.

“While yesterday was a win (the cancer is contained in my right breast and right lymph nodes), my NYC appointment afterwards walked me through what the next year plus will look like, and that felt like a loss. A huge loss.”

She continued: “I am frustrated because I feel that I am too tired and jumbled to focus on the things I love most.”

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A post shared by Miranda McKeon (@miranda.mckeon)

She then listed out a few of the ways that the stress of this situation has affected her, writing:

I cannot sleep and I love to sleep (although that is getting better).
I have no appetite and I love food.
I’m lacking in emotions, something that anyone who knows me knows I have a lot of.
I have no time to see my friends.

She did close out on a more optimistic note however, writing that she realized her appetite and emotions and ability to sleep would eventually return.

She also said that journaling has been difficult for her, and that the Instagram posts she was sharing were a good substitute as she struggled to write the three to four pages she typically does in a day.

It was just one week ago that McKeon announced that she was one of the rare teenagers to get diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Pink is my new color!!!!! It is with a heavy yet hopeful heart that I share news that I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer,” wrote McKeon at the time.

“I am 19 and as statistics go- the chances of having breast cancer at this age are one in a million! (literally, look it up on Google) I am so special- but we knew thisðŸ’›!”

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A post shared by Miranda McKeon (@miranda.mckeon)

McKeon said that she was traveling to San Francisco where she was planning to spend a few weeks working on a sustainable farm when she got a call about a biopsy she had done a week prior. She had just touched down in California at the time, but 90 minutes later was back on a plane heading home so she could undergo more tests.

The actress said that she was showered with love from her family and friends the next few days before learning that the lump she felt was indeed cancer.

“So the long and short of it is – I am embarking on a journey that is not of my choosing, but one I know I can handle,” wrote McKeon.

“There will be really difficult times ahead when life feels impossible. But for now, I am headed into this with optimism, positivity, and surrounded by love.”

McKeon hasn’t detailed her treatment plan, but did say last week that it would involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. She also made a point of telling her young followers not to feel sad for her or worry they too might have cancer, accurately pointing out that only four percent of those who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year are under the age of 40.

Getting a Mammogram

Women aged 45 and 54 should have annual mammograms; women with a history of breast cancer in their family should begin screening even earlier. Dr. Connie Lehman, the chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasizes in an earlier interview how mammograms save lives. She says, "If you haven't gone through menopause yet, I think it's very important that you have a mammogram every year. We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving."

"After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years," says Dr. Lehman. "But what I'm most concerned about is the women who haven't been in for a mammogram for two, three, or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives."

When Should I Get a Mammogram?

Doing a Self-Exam at Home

In addition to regular mammogram screenings, women should also do self-exams at home. The American Cancer Society (ACS), says, “Women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and should report any changes to a health care provider right away.”

The National Breast Cancer Foundation says here’s how to do a self-exam at home:

While standing straight in front of a mirror, place your hands on your hips and look at your breasts for any swelling, bulging, changes in the shape of breast or nipple (inverted), redness, rashes, or any fluid leaking. Then do the same with your arms in the air.
Next, while lying down, use your right hand to examine your left breast and vice versa, while using your first three fingers to apply pressure. Ensure you cover the entire breast area, from your collarbone to below your ribcage and from your armpit to your cleavage area. Do the same self-exam standing or sitting up. Be sure to use light to medium pressure for the middle breast area and firmer pressure when feeling deep breast tissue.

Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams

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