Longtime Hallmark actress and director Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, 44, vulnerably revealed on October 10, 2025, that she is bravely battling stage three breast cancer.
The beloved “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” star announced her diagnosis in an essay for People magazine and via her social media accounts, choosing to share her journey in hopes that it will inspire other women to be diligent about monitoring their health and trusting their intuition.
Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe First Noticed a ‘Large Mass’ in February 2025
In her essay for People, Lowe shared that the first symptom of her breast cancer came in February, when she noticed a “large mass” in her right breast, and intuitively felt something wasn’t right. But when a mammogram and guided ultrasound showed nothing irregular, her doctor simply called it a “mystery.”
A couple of months later, the mass was still present, Lowe wrote, noting that “it was changing in size and placement, and my confusion (and fear) kept growing. I didn’t feel any pain, but my nipple became inverted, so I went back to the doctor.”
By then, the mass measured 10 centimeters, Lowe wrote, and an immediate blind biopsy revealed she had Invasive Carcinoma in one of her ducts. “I still remember getting off the phone, curling up into a ball, and just bawling,” she wrote.
Lowe leaned on her husband, Miko Tomasevich, with whom she has two kids, a three-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter. After further tests, Lowe learned her cancer was stage three and would require “the whole deal” — chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, radiation, and reconstruction with implants.
Real-Life Braveheart Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe Plans to Share Her Healing Journey
After undergoing her first infusion of Doxorubicin, a chemo treatment widely known as “The Red Devil,” Lowe shared in a social media video on October 10, “This is the beginning, not the end. And the roller coaster has just started.”
Lowe, who was the first mentee in Hallmark’s Make Her Mark development program for aspiring female directors, founded and led by fellow Hallmark star Ashley Williams, invited her social media community to follow along with her progress.
“I truly hope this helps other people going through this journey right now,” she wrote in the caption. “It’s been tough but I know I’ll get through it.”
To boost her confidence, Lowe wrote in People that she named her cancer Barry and envisioned that her chemo — which she nicknamed Agnes McDonald — is a “Scottish warrior with fiery red hair” like her mother and aunts, carrying a massive sword.
“Once I had that image in my mind,” she wrote in her essay, “I put on the ‘Braveheart’ soundtrack (yes, I’m dramatic), and for the first time since my diagnosis, I felt strong. I (and Agnes) was ready for battle.”
Concluding her essay by sharing her inspiring outlook, Lowe told her readers, “If I have one message for all of you, I guess it would be this: This journey has been scary, strange, and humbling. It has stripped me down in ways I never saw coming, physically, emotionally and spiritually. And yet… I promise to persevere. To turn poison into medicine. To grow. That’s what I’m learning every single day.”
Hallmark Family Has Rallied Around Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe
In addition to thanking her family and friends, Lowe sang Hallmark’s praises in her essay for People.
“Let’s just say I have never been more grateful to be a part of a family that practices the values they preach,” she wrote of Hallmark. “I am eternally grateful.”
Among the changes made to ensure Lowe can focus on her health, she shared that Alison Sweeney, star and executive producer of Hallmark’s “Hannah Swensen Mysteries” franchise, coordinated with fellow producer Craig Baumgarten to alter schedules “so I may be able to direct the next one when my treatment is complete.”
Hallmark fans and stars rallied around Lowe in the comment section of her post, including “When Calls The Heart” star Pascale Hutton, who wrote, “Sending you so much love Crystal. ❤️”
Another WCTH star and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” alum, Viv Leacock, wrote, “All that strength, grace and wisdom!!! Cancer picked the wrong one to mess with!!! Love you lots, lil sis!!!”
Lacey Chabert wrote, “I will be praying for you and holding you close in my heart❤️”
Janel Parrish gushed, “You’re amazing 🤍🤍🤍” and Mark Ghanimé urged, “Kick its ass, Crystal. ❤️❤️❤️”
GOD BLESS her and heal her from this horid disease. Wish they kept the series going on Hallmark.
Thinking good thought for you and your family
Ditto!
You have a fantastic attitude Crytal – and that does really help. Go ahead, cry, bawl, scream. ccall it nasty names – get it all out and do what you are doing – fighting it with everything you have.
You also are one smart lady trusting your gut that you knew something was wrong.
As a retired nurse I think it is great that you are putting your journey out there, especially that you knew something was wrong. You may save another woman from being a missed diagnosis and that is what it is about. Informing the people to please lease [lease trust your gut feelings and if you have to argue with your doctor or get another doctor who will listen.
I had a unilateral mastectomy 33 years ago. Women didn’t share much back then, so I didn’t have much support. Bless you for being so brave and inspiring other women. I am so happy that you have the support of your Hallmark Family. That is one of the reasons I love your channel so much! Prayers for you as you walk that winding road. You are strong and will do well!!
Sehr bewegender Artikel über Crystal Lowes mutigen Kampf gegen Brustkrebs. Ihr Fokus auf Intuition und proaktive Gesundheitsvorsorge ist absolut bewundernswert. Das wirft bei mir eine Frage zur Behandlung auf: Wie wichtig ist es Ihrer Meinung nach, dass Patienten und ihre Familien Zugang zu umfassenden Informationen über alle verfügbaren Behandlungsmöglichkeiten und unterstützende Therapien haben, um Nebenwirkungen besser zu managen? Ich bin kürzlich auf einen sehr detaillierten Artikel gestoßen, der die Krebsversorgung in Girona beschreibt und dabei auch auf unterstützende Medikamente eingeht, die ähnlich wie Tylol Hot wirken sollen. Vielleicht ist das für den einen oder anderen Leser hier interessant: https://interfresacontraelcancer.com/navigating-cancer-care-in-girona-an-insiders-look
God Bless you. I am at risk as my mom and her 2 sisters and a cousin all had breast cancer and mastectomies.
May your journey be a blessed and successful one.
You got this Pink Sister. I’m a 20 year survivor this month. Left breast mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction. You have a great support system and that is key. You’re strong and I agree, it picked the Wrong person to mess with.