Celebrity
Cancer Survivor Miranda McKeon Defends Drinking Alcohol: ‘Trust Me, I Am Well Aware’
Miranda McKeon is opening up again about life after cancer — and why she still chooses to drink alcohol despite knowing the risks. The 24-year-old influencer, who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at 19, addressed the topic in a candid video she shared with her TikTok followers on Monday, February 23 .
The New York City–based content creator said the question came from a follower who slid into her DM’s to point out the “evidence of alcohol being a carcinogen,” and ask “Why are you still drinking?”
McKeon didn’t dispute it. “Trust me, I am well aware,” she said, explaining that her feelings around drinking are “nuanced” and often anxiety-inducing.
Still, McKeon admitted she isn’t ready to cut alcohol out of her life. “I really enjoy going out with my girlfriends and having a few beverages,” she said, adding that she often exceeds the widely referenced guideline of three drinks per week. She also acknowledged the emotional weight behind that choice.
“If I were to have a cancer recurrence, I probably would wish that I had never drank alcohol after I had cancer in college,” she said.
Still, McKeon said she’s working on letting go of the shame she sometimes feels. “Just because I’m a cancer survivor doesn’t mean I should hate myself every time I drink.”
She does have a good reason to celebrate: Wednesday, February 25, marked four years of being cancer-free for the influencer. McKeon was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and underwent a double mastectomy to fight back the disease, per People.
