Influencer Miranda McKeon Breaks Down Her ‘Qualms’ with ‘Wellness Industry’ After Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 19 (Exclusive)
Influencer Miranda McKeon Breaks Down Her ‘Qualms’ with ‘Wellness Industry’ After Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 19 (Exclusive)
Zoey LyttleWed, February 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC
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Miranda McKeon.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
At 19 years old, Miranda McKeon was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, an experience that has impacted both her physically health and her general understanding of wellness
Nearly five years later, the University of Southern California graduate lives in New York City, where she works as a content creator
Her social media output prioritizes breast cancer awareness advocacy, but she also posts about fashion, beauty and broader lifestyle topics
Miranda McKeon was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer when she was 19 years old, just after finishing her freshman year at the University of Southern California in 2021. Today, on the other side of a nightmare diagnosis, she approaches her life and career with a wisdom that spans well beyond her years.
After enduring chemotherapy treatments, undergoing a double mastectomy and entering medically induced menopause, McKeon became cancer-free in 2022. After finishing college, she made her way to New York City, where she works as a content creator.
Between the brands with which she partners and the events she attends, breast cancer awareness is certainly at the forefront of what McKeon, now 24, shares online. But like most young influencers, her social media output isn't limited to just one single topic. She also leans into fashion, beauty and beyond.
Miranda McKeon.
Mei Tao
Speaking to PEOPLE about her new role as an advisor to women’s health startup BeSound, McKeon explains how she's found ways to balance both her advocacy work and broader lifestyle topics.
"I try and not limit myself to being so black and white with things. I am accepting every day that I'm a multidimensional person," says the former Anne with an E actress. "I can love skincare and beauty, and I can also love self-screening and eating as a form of wellness."
While McKeon isn't shy about urging her fellow Gen-Z friends, fans and followers to be proactive about their health, she views certain online advice with a healthy level of skepticism.
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"I take so many qualms with the self-help wellness industry, and I think a lot of times we're sold lotions and potions as a means of self-care," she says. McKeon points out that people can fall into patterns of purchasing things they believe will be "the key to enlightenment and longevity," but she personally distills health to a simpler philosophy.
"The best thing that you can do for your health is stay on top of it, from a medical standpoint. And that involves fitness, exercise, eating food and self-screening," says McKeon.
She continues, "Those are all things that we need to be doing on a daily basis, weekly basis, monthly basis, keeping track of, because that's the biggest investment you could ever make in yourself. And I think a lot of times that gets confused with using a night serum or a night cream."
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As McKeon knows best, considering her very unique, uncommon medical history, it's crucial for people to scroll social media knowing that what works for one person may not apply universally.
"I think there's a lot of confusion and jargon that's out there in terms of how to take care of yourself," she tells PEOPLE. "My best advice would just be getting quiet and trying to figure out your own personal priorities."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
