Shannen Doherty’s Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

Shannen Doherty, best known for her role in the television series “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. By 2023, her cancer had metastasized to her brain and spread to her bones. In January 2023, she underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her brain and received radiation therapy. However, she experienced major setbacks during her recovery, including a horrible reaction to steroids that caused her to lose the ability to hold objects in her right hand for three months.


Shannen Doherty wasn’t afraid to get candid about cancer.

The beloved actress passed away July 13 at the age of 53 after her yearslong health battle.

The loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was encompassed by the comforting presence of her dear ones, along with her cherished pet, Bowie, according to her representative Leslie Sloane. The family kindly requests seclusion at this sorrowful moment to mourn in tranquility.

Since being diagnosed with the disease in 2015, the former “Beverly Hills, 90210” star has openly discussed her experiences, including the challenges she faced when her breast cancer progressed to stage 4 in 2019 despite earlier remission.

Shannen shared candidly about her hair loss resulting from chemotherapy or her experiences undergoing brain surgery.

Why?

In her 2021 Instagram post during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she expressed her desire that by sharing her experience, we all broaden our knowledge and grow accustomed to recognizing cancer symptoms. Her aspiration is to motivate individuals to undergo regular screenings such as mammograms and checkups, and bravely confront any potential health concerns that arise.

And in driving her own narrative, Shannen hoped to disprove assumptions around cancer patients.

Shannen expressed her desire to change the common perception of stage 4 cancer being a hopeless diagnosis during an interview with her friend Sarah Michelle Gellar for Entertainment Tonight. She didn’t want people to imagine someone in this stage as being gray, weak, and confined to hospice care. Instead, she hoped for a more positive representation.

Despite being essential, vibrant, and full of life with a strong desire to contribute, you are often overlooked or dismissed.

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

In fact, Shannen was determined to not let her diagnosis put a damper on her zest for life.

Last year, she expressed to People magazine that her life wasn’t over despite cancer spreading to her bones and brain. She declared, “I’m not finished with experiencing love. I’m not finished with producing.”

She added, “I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better.”

For details on Shannen’s cancer journey in her own words, keep reading.

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

Shannen Doherty’s health troubles started in February 2015; based on court records obtained by TopMob News, she was diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to at least one lymph node.

In that very year, she had a surgical removal of her entire breast tissue (single mastectomy), followed by sessions of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

The actress from “Beverly Hills, 90210” began losing her hair during her medical therapies, resulting in her making the decision to shave her head.

“During my second session for the treatment, my hair became extremely tangled in July 2016, as shared with Entertainment Tonight. When I attempted to detangle it, the hair came out instead.”

At that point, Shannen chose to have a “cute little bob” hairstyle made for her by her mother’s assistance.

I found that it fell short of my expectations, as my hair continued to shed excessively. The thought of regaining my familiar appearance is a concern that leaves me uncertain.

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

During the breaks between her radiation therapy sessions in early 2017, Shannen had reconstructive surgery as a subsequent procedure following her mastectomy.

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

In April 2017, the Charmed star announced she was in remission.

“Good news? YES,” she wrote on Instagram. “Overwhelming. YES. Now more waiting.”

During that period, Shannen highlighted the significance of the following five years, explaining that recurrences are a common occurrence.

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

I’ve been in remission for almost two years when my doctors delivered the devastating news that my breast cancer had come back. This time, it was labeled as stage 4.

She kept the diagnosis within her inner circle until 2020. 

She expressed her disappointment and frustration to ABC News by saying, “It’s a hard reality to accept in many aspects.” She further shared, “I have moments when I question, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ But then I think, ‘Why not me? Who else could bear this burden?’ We all face challenges in life.”

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

Despite the disheartening diagnosis, Shannen insists she’s “not signing off.”

In the October 2020 edition of Elle, she expressed her conviction, saying, “I feel incredibly vibrant and full of life. I’m far from being ready for retirement.”

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

By 2023, the cancer had metastasized to Shannen’s brain and spread to her bones.

She expressed to People, “I don’t want to meet my end yet. My living, loving, creating, and striving for change aren’t finished. I’m simply not done.”

 Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

Shannen underwent surgery to have a tumor removed from her brain in January 2023.

“On her podcast ‘Let’s Be Clear,’ Shannen expressed that we obtained nearly all of it, and the remaining portion was managed through the use of brain radiation.”

Yet, she encountered significant setbacks on her journey to healing, marked by a distressing response to the steroids she was using then.

In an interview with People, she shared her experience of attempting to reduce the swelling in her brain, only to have her hand become completely unresponsive. For a span of three months, I couldn’t grasp or hold objects using my right hand. The moment a glass slipped through my fingers for the first time, I was filled with disbelief and despair. “No, no, no, no, no,” I repeated, unwilling to accept this unexpected turn of events.

 
 Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

In the month of April, 2023, Shannen initiated divorce proceedings against her husband of eleven years, Kurt Iswarienko. The separation is stated to have occurred on January 15, 2023, according to papers obtained by TopMob News.

Later on, the actress from “BH90210” claimed that Kurt had been unfaithful to her while she was going through cancer treatments. She revealed that she discovered his supposed two-year affair just before undergoing brain surgery.

In a December 2023 episode of “Let’s Be Clear,” Shannen revealed, “I entered the operating room first thing in the morning. However, only after learning that my marriage was all but finished did I make this decision. I couldn’t bear the thought of undergoing surgery with him present; I felt profoundly deceived.”

I, as a devoted follower of Kurt’s news, have observed that he has remained silent regarding the recent allegations against him. TopMob News attempted to seek clarification from his representative, yet no response was received.

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

In January 2024, I, as an avid fan of Shannen’s, was thrilled to learn about her latest health update. She revealed that the new infusion treatment plan she had been given brought about promising outcomes.

“Following the sixth and seventh sessions, there was noticeable progress in bypassing the blood-brain barrier,” she shared on her podcast. “To put it simply, this development strikes me as nothing short of miraculous at this moment in time.”

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Journey, in Her Own Words

As a lifestyle expert, I’d suggest Paraphrasing Shannen’s statement, I’d say, “Shannen expressed that undergoing chemotherapy treatments leaves her feeling incredibly drained.”

As an avid follower and supporter, I can tell you that her experiences with cancer took on a profoundly unique dimension during a June 2024 podcast episode. The reason being, she admitted with humility and a tinge of uncertainty, “I’m unsure how long this chemotherapy treatment will last for me.”

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2024-07-14 17:21