Canadian actress Crystal Lowe, known for her roles in Final Destination and Hallmark films, marked her 45th birthday with a major personal milestone: she has just one chemotherapy session remaining in her treatment for stage 3 breast cancer. In an Instagram video, Lowe shared her excitement, revealing that her hair is beginning to grow back as she looks ahead to breast surgery next month.
“It is the eleventh of twelve Taxols, and it is my second to last one,” Lowe said. “Only one more [chemo treatment cycle] to go! I’m feeling good and strong and confident!” She added that her symptoms have been manageable and expressed joy over the return of her hair.
Taxol (paclitaxel), the chemotherapy drug Lowe has been receiving, is a powerful treatment for certain cancers but comes with notable side effects including fatigue, nausea, anemia, neuropathy, and hair loss. “With Taxol, your hair will fall out, but it should grow back,” said Dr. Lynn P. Parker, gynecologic oncologist at Norton Cancer Institute. Dr. Leslie Boyd of NYU Langone Health noted that hair loss is extremely common with Taxol treatments, with very few patients avoiding it entirely.
Lowe was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer after noticing a persistent mass in her right breast. Initially mistaking it for a workout injury, she pursued medical evaluation, which eventually confirmed the cancer diagnosis. “I still remember getting off the phone, curling up into a ball, and just bawling,” Lowe recalled in an essay for People Magazine.
Stage 3 breast cancer typically involves larger tumors and may affect nearby lymph nodes or tissues, often requiring chemotherapy and, in some cases, hormonal therapy. Since her diagnosis early last year, Lowe has focused on maintaining a positive mindset while navigating her treatment journey.
Looking ahead, Lowe plans to undergo a double mastectomy in late February, followed by breast reconstruction using implants. “I feel really good about this decision. I’ve researched, talked to my doctor, and mainly listened to myself, and this is what I’ve decided to do,” she said.
Throughout her career, Lowe has gained recognition for her roles in horror thrillers like Final Destination—earning her the nickname “scream queen”—as well as family-friendly franchises such as Signed, Sealed, Delivered and Children of the Corn. Now, the 45-year-old mother of two is navigating a different kind of challenge, demonstrating resilience and hope as she nears the end of chemotherapy and prepares for surgery.
