Shannen Doherty reveals devastating cancer update: ‘I don’t want to die’
The former 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star received a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2015.
Shannen Doherty has shared further distressing updates amid her ongoing battle with cancer, which began with a diagnosis in 2015.
The 52-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, disclosed just five months back that the cancer had progressed to her brain. Now, she has sadly revealed that her Stage 4 breast cancer has advanced, spreading to her bones.
“I don’t want to pass away,” expressed the Beverly Hills, 90210 star to People. “I’m not finished living. I’m not finished loving,” she conveyed, emphasizing her desire to continue making a difference. “I’m simply not done.”
After her initial diagnosis, Shannen disclosed the cancer’s spread to her lymph nodes, leading to a mastectomy and undergoing eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.
In 2017, she experienced a period of remission. However, by 2019, the cancer reappeared as metastatic Stage 4 breast cancer, indicating its spread to other areas of her body beyond the original tumor site.
In June 2023, Shannen disclosed via Instagram that she had undergone surgery back in January to remove a brain tumour, whom she affectionately referred to as Bob. She elaborated, stating, “He had to be removed and examined for his pathology.”
Reflecting on the experience, she admitted, “It was undeniably one of the most frightening ordeals of my entire life.” In her Instagram post shared at the time, she detailed, “On January 5th, my CT scan revealed the presence of tumours in my brain. By January 12, the initial round of radiation therapy was administered. My apprehension was palpable; I am severely claustrophobic, and amidst the complexities of life, it was overwhelming.”
Concluding her post, she expressed gratitude, saying, “I consider myself fortunate to be under the care of exceptional physicians like Dr. Amin Mirahdi and the remarkable technicians at Cedar Sinai. Nevertheless, the fear, the upheaval, and the timing of it all… This is the stark reality of cancer.”
In a recent interview with People magazine, Shannen revealed that her diagnosis has spurred her to seek a “greater meaning in life,” particularly in advocating for cancer awareness and fundraising for research.
“When you grapple with questions like, ‘Why me? Why did I get cancer?’ and then ‘Why has my cancer returned? Why am I in stage 4?’ it propels you to search for a deeper purpose in life,” explained Shannen. She added, “It’s baffling to me that we still lack a cure.”
Looking ahead, the ‘Charmed’ actress expressed her desire to participate in clinical trials while being determined to demonstrate her capability to continue working despite her battle with cancer.
She expressed, “There’s this assumption that having this condition means you can’t walk, eat, or work. They believe you’re relegated to retirement prematurely – ‘You’re finished,’ they say. But we’re not. We’re dynamic individuals with a unique perspective on life. We’re eager to work, to cherish life, and to progress.”
The actress plans to delve deeper into her diagnosis in her upcoming memoir podcast titled ‘Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty’, slated for release on iHeartRadio on December 6th.
