Shannen Doherty, the beloved actress known for her roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” has been bravely sharing her journey with stage 4 breast cancer since her diagnosis in February 2020. In a recent Instagram post, Doherty uploaded a behind-the-scenes video before undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor. The 52-year-old actress, while trying to remain courageous, expressed her fear and vulnerability.
Doherty’s caption to the photo read, “16 January 2023. Surgery. They wanted to biopsy and remove a tumor from my head. I’m trying to be courageous, but I’m scared to death. To me, the fear was overwhelming.” She also acknowledged her concerns about potential negative consequences and the impact on her loved ones. Doherty wanted to show the world what cancer can look like, sharing her own experience and raising awareness.
Brain metastases, which occur when cancer cells spread to the brain from their original location, were revealed in a CT scan on January 5. Doherty spoke about her first round of radiation therapy on January 12 and her battle with severe claustrophobia. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for her amazing doctors and emphasized that cancer can affect anyone, causing anxiety and confusion.
In March, Doherty provided an update on her health during a Charmed panel at 90s Con. When asked how she was feeling, she responded with a smile, “I’m feeling great, thank you! This audience is incredible.”
Since her initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 and the announcement of its recurrence in 2017, Doherty has been open and honest about her treatment journey. She strives to educate and raise awareness about cancer by sharing her experiences. In an Instagram post from October 2021, she wrote, “Is it all pretty? NO, but it’s truthful, and my hope in sharing is that we all become more educated, more familiar with what cancer looks like. I hope I encourage people to get mammograms, to get regular checkups, to cut through the fear and face whatever might be in front of you.”
Let us continue to support and uplift Shannen Doherty as she courageously battles cancer and raises awareness for all those who are fighting this disease.
