“Having a double mastectomy doesn’t mean the end of self-esteem,” Miranda McKeon, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, told the News.
Miranda McKeon regains her confidence while in remission after breast cancer treatment. E-star Anne, 20, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2021, spoke to the news about “regaining physical autonomy” to move forward.
After an egg freeze, eight rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and 25 radiation treatments, the actress found adjusting to her “new normal” difficult.
“Navigating through survival was in some ways more complicated than I anticipated – just taking different types of drugs. And also how to integrate those experiences into my life and work with them rather than fight them,” said McKeon, who himself has been in remission.
“Being comfortable with this new body I’ve been through has been an empowering journey over the past year,” he added. Three months after completing chemotherapy, McKeon decided to undergo breast reconstruction. And worked on the procedure with Sientra and board-certified breast cancer and plastic surgeon Dr Ann Peled together.
She says getting the implant help her feel more secure.
“Initially I was really scare about how I would look and what would happen to my relationship with my body. And my self-esteem and self-worth,” McKeon said of her double mastectomy. “I think that’s something a lot of women face when they are about to have this surgery. Will I look like myself?”
“I think talking to my surgeon about his training, dual training and residency certification, and sharing Sientra’s safety information made me feel confident about [breast reconstruction]. Because I’m very young and I have a lot of years ahead of me,” the actress said. Adding that her mental health “improve dramatically” once she felt she was in good hands.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, McKeon hopes to raise awareness among other breast cancer survivors. Especially young ones like her, that there are ways to “feel like yourself” after such a physically demanding journey.