Hallmark star Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe reveals breast cancer diagnosis

Hallmark star Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe revealed she’s been recently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

Lowe, 44, shared the devastating news about her health in an essay published by People Friday, saying the “journey has been scary, strange, and humbling.”

The Canadian actress said she first noticed a large mass in her right breast in February, but a mammogram and an ultrasound revealed nothing. A couple of months later, the mass measured 10 centimeters and her nipple had become inverted, so she underwent a blind biopsy.

“Three days later, my G.P. called to say I had Invasive Carcinoma in one of the ducts,” she recalled. “I still remember getting off the phone, curling up into a ball, and just bawling.”

She initially thought she had stage 2 moderate cancer, but in August, she learned that she had stage 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma — a type of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts of the breast and spreads to nearby tissues.

“Essentially, I’m looking at the whole deal: chemo, double mastectomy, radiation and, eventually, implants… As someone who’s never had any major illness, it was a lot to digest,” she wrote.

The mom of two shared that she’s received a lot of support from her Hallmark colleagues amid her diagnosis.

“Hollywood often gets a bad rap, but when you work with people who love you, they show up,” she noted.

She gave shout-outs to her co-stars who have supported her.

“And on the Hannah Swensen series with Hallmark, Alison Sweeney and Craig Baumgarten have shifted schedules so I may be able to direct the next one when my treatment is complete,” she shared.

“Jeff Schenck with Hybrid Entertainment graciously purchased my wigs, and even offered unlimited transportation to any of my appointments,” she continued. “And Hallmark… Let’s just say I have never been more grateful to be a part of a family that practices the values they preach. I am eternally grateful.”

The “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” star vowed to fight her disease.

“It has stripped me down in ways I never saw coming, physically, emotionally and spiritually,” she acknowledged.

“And yet… I promise to persevere,” she continued. “To turn poison into medicine. To grow. That’s what I’m learning every single day.”