Shannen Doherty’s Unyielding Spirit: Embracing Life Despite Breast Cancer's Spread
Shannen Doherty bravely opens up about her stage 4 breast cancer, sharing the heartbreaking news that the disease has now spread to her bones Despite the challenges, she remains determined to continue living life to the fullest
Shannen Doherty MUNAWAR HOSAIN/Startraks
Shannen Doherty, 52, revealed in an interview published Wednesday, November 29, that despite a new development in her battle with stage IV breast cancer - the disease spreading to her bones - she is staying strong and determined. She expressed her will to keep fighting and not give in to the disease, saying "I don’t want to die."
Doherty is determined to continue fighting the illness, stating, "I have more to live for, love, create, and hopefully make a positive impact." The Beverly Hills, 90210 star first received a breast cancer diagnosis in March 2015 and completed chemotherapy in February 2017. In April of the same year, Doherty revealed that she was in remission.
By February 2020, however, Doherty’s cancer had returned and progressed to stage IV. "I haven’t really come to terms with it," she admitted on Good Morning America. "It’s a harsh reality to accept in many ways. ... You know, our life doesn’t stop the moment we receive that diagnosis. We still have some life to live."
Shannen Doherty has been keeping her fans updated on her health battle, sharing earlier this year that her breast cancer had spread to her brain. In June, she took to Instagram to express her gratitude for her doctors and the staff at Cedar Sinai, while also acknowledging the fear and turmoil that comes with battling cancer. She shared a video from her first round of radiation that had taken place five months earlier, emphasizing that this is the reality of what cancer can look like.
In a separate upload shared in June, Doherty provided a glimpse into her preparation for an operation. She captioned the Instagram video with "January 16, 2023. Surgery. I had a tumor in my head they wanted to remove and also biopsy. I am clearly trying to be brave but I am petrified." She expressed her overwhelming fear and worry about the potential outcomes and impact on her loved ones. Through her public platform, Doherty voiced her desire to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, emphasizing the urgency for a cure and the need to find a bigger purpose in life.
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Doherty is optimistic about participating in new clinical trials for potential treatments, and she remains determined to continue pursuing her acting career. "People often assume that a cancer diagnosis means you are unable to walk, eat, or work. They perceive you as being retired and done with life at a very young age, but that's not the case," she explained. "We are still full of life, with a different perspective and a desire to work and embrace life, to keep moving forward."
She refuses to allow her health to define her. "I believe that my best days are still ahead of me," she added. "I find strength in prayer and gratitude, without asking for too much. It connects me to a higher power and gives me a spiritual foundation. Faith is my guiding principle."
