When Kathy Bates was told she had an incurable illness

Kathy Bates, known for her award-winning roles in Misery and American Horror Story, has faced a challenging health journey as a two-time cancer survivor with lymphedema. The 75-year-old actress underwent a double mastectomy in 2012 after a breast cancer diagnosis, following an ovarian cancer battle in 2003. Lymphedema, a painful side effect of her surgeries, was harder to endure than cancer, she told SurvivorNet. Despite this, Bates found support from a specialist and now advocates for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network, raising awareness for the condition affecting 10 million Americans. Using her fame to help others, the inspirational actress continues her career, recently starring in The Miracle Club.