Former The Real Housewives of Orange County star Jeana Keough is facing one of the toughest battles of her life after revealing that she has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, a form of oral cancer. The news became public through her daughter, Kara Keough Bosworth, who shared details about her mother’s condition while asking for support as Keough continues an intensive course of treatment.
According to the family’s account, Keough first noticed a painful sore on her tongue nearly a year ago. Believing it was caused by a tooth repeatedly rubbing against her tongue, she visited her dentist several times to have the tooth adjusted. However, the sore failed to heal, prompting further medical evaluation. A biopsy later confirmed that the lesion was cancerous.
Doctors initially planned surgery to remove the tumor, but the situation became more serious after additional testing. Keough underwent a second operation to remove nearby lymph nodes, where physicians discovered that the cancer had spread beyond the tongue. As a result, what was expected to be a relatively straightforward procedure developed into a far more complex treatment journey.
She is now undergoing a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. At the time her family shared the update, Keough was in the fifth week of treatment. The therapies have reportedly taken a significant physical toll, leaving her with severe fatigue, persistent pain in her tongue and throat, and difficulty swallowing even small amounts of food or water. The side effects have also contributed to malnutrition, making the treatment process especially challenging.
Beyond the health battle, the illness has also created financial pressure. Keough continues to work in real estate, where earnings largely depend on commission-based sales. Because her treatment has prevented her from working, her income has been significantly affected. To help cover medical-related expenses, nutrition, and everyday living costs during her recovery, her family launched a GoFundMe campaign with a fundraising goal of $22,000.
In her message, Kara Keough Bosworth described the emotional impact of watching her mother endure cancer treatment while balancing the responsibilities of caring for her own family from across the country. She said she traveled to Orange County to spend time with her mother and, along with her brothers Shane and Colton, hopes to ensure Keough feels supported throughout her recovery.
Jeana Keough, now 70, is best known as one of the original cast members of The Real Housewives of Orange County, appearing on the reality television series from 2006 until 2010 before making occasional guest appearances in later seasons. Prior to her television career, she worked as a model and actress and has remained active in the real estate industry for many years.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of tongue cancer, and treatment often involves surgery followed by radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these approaches, particularly when the disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes. As of the latest update shared by her family, Keough remains in active treatment, and no announcement has been made regarding the completion of therapy or her long-term prognosis.
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