Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe has starred in classic Hallmark shows, including Signed, Sealed, Delivered and the Hannah Swensen Mystery series, alongside Days of Our Lives alum Alison Sweeney. The actor and director recently pulled back the veil on her private life and revealed a heartbreaking secret she had kept from fans. In a touching essay with PEOPLE, Lowe revealed that she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
Key Takeaways
- Lowe was diagnosed with breast cancer in late August.
- In an emotional essay, she shared the details of her discovery, which led to her heartbreaking diagnosis.
- This led to her first round of chemo.
- Lowe is also a mom of a nine-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, whom she shares with her husband, Miko Tomasevich.
- She called her journey “scary, strange, and humbling.”
- Lowe felt this essay was the ideal way to connect with her fans.
Life In Front of and Behind the Camera
Prior to her time on Hallmark, Lowe’s career got its start on Center Stage: Turn It Up, Final Destination, The L Word, and Stargate SGI. She was also featured on the cover of Maxim.
In her intimate essay with PEOPLE, Lowe admitted that she “had a love-hate relationship with my body.” She took on roles that were more focused on her appearance rather than her acting abilities, which made her feel insecure and uncomfortable with her body.
“And I felt that pressure, constantly checking my body, adjusting, second-guessing whether I was ‘enough.’ It was a quiet battle, fought daily,” outside of the public eye, Lowe noted.
Then, her career changed when she landed the role of Rita Haywith on Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Lowe wasn’t as focused on her looks. But that all changed when she noticed “a large mass on my right breast” in February 2025.
She underwent a series of tests, but her doctor assured her there was nothing. She listened to her body, and finally got her answer. “On a rainy Friday in late August, I learned that I had Stage 3 invasive Ductal Carcinoma,” Lowe wrote.
Revealing Her Cancer Journey
The actress shared what she’s been keeping from fans. Lowe had to undergo “chemo, double mastectomy, radiation, and eventually, implants…” This was an overwhelming experience for someone who had never fallen ill.
Lowe found her strength in other women who shared similar experiences on social media. After learning their stories, she felt ready enough to take on her own cancer journey.
Then, she was faced with the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin, which is called “The Red Devil.” Lowe faced her fears by thinking about all the red things she loves, such as her fiery relatives and her inner Scottish warrior, which she referred to as “Agnes MacDonald.”
Lowe didn’t find herself alone. She was surrounded by her husband, friends, and family. Even those in the entertainment industry, such as Alison Sweeney and Craig Baumgarten, who are featured in the Hannah Swensen series.
Lowe concluded that her “journey has been scary, strange, and humbling.” She never expected this experience to challenge her “physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” But she’s turning the pain into power, growing and learning.
Lowe concluded her touching essay by saying that she’s picking up her sword and continuing this fight. She’s hoping that her fans will join her in this battle. She also wants those who are experiencing something similar to know they’re not alone.
