‘American Horror Story’ Star Kathy Bates Reveals She Was Told To Keep Past Cancer Diagnosis Secret

“American Horror Story” star Kathy Bates recently revealed that she was warned by her agent to not disclose her past cancer diagnosis for fear that it could jeopardize her career.

During a recent interview with WebMD, the veteran actress said that she did keep it secret because of the stigma in Hollywood. According to Bates, she kept her health condition under the radar until she came across Melissa Etheridge. “But then I saw Melissa Etheridge doing a concert and just waiting on her guitar with her bald head, and I thought, ‘Wow, I wanna be her!’ So, when the breast cancer diagnosis came, I knew I wanted to be honest about it,” she said.

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According to People, Bates was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2012. At the time, she underwent double mastectomy and had 19 lymph nodes removed. After her successful surgery, the award-winning actress contemplated on getting reconstructive surgery. But she eventually decided not to push through with it.

As of late, the actress has no breasts, and she intends to keep it that way. “I’ve joined the ranks of women who are going flat. I don’t have breasts – so why do I have to pretend like I do? That stuff isn’t important. I’m just grateful to have been born at a time when the research made it possible for me to survive. I feel incredibly lucky to be alive,” she said.

This is not the first time that Bates has opened up about her cancer battle from five years ago. In 2016, she appeared in CBS’ “Sunday Morning,” where she revealed that she’s suffering from Lymphedema. The condition results in excess fluid collecting in her arms and requiring her to wear a compression sleeve to minimize the swelling. “I went berserk. I went nuts. And for a long time after that, I was really angry. I just turned into another person. I just felt betrayed, I felt enraged,” she said.

Due to her condition, Bates became a spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network. She also goes to the doctor regularly to help manage her illness, according to CBS News.