"That fear, the turmoil, the timing of it all. This is what cancer can look like," wrote Shannen Doherty.
Shannen Doherty, known for her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210, and Charmed, has shared a heartbreaking update on her ongoing battle with stage 4 breast cancer. The 52-year-old actress took to social media to post a video of herself undergoing radiation therapy, revealing her fear and struggles throughout the process. In her Instagram post, Doherty disclosed that her first round of radiation took place on January 12. The actress reportedly has brain metastases, a condition in which cancer cells spread from their original site to the brain, as explained by the Mayo Clinic.
"My fear is obvious. I am extremely claustrophobic and there was a lot going on in my life. I am fortunate as I have great doctors like Dr. Amin Mirahdi and the amazing techs at cedar sinai. But that fear…. The turmoil….. the timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like," she wrote. On Monday, June 5, she also shared a video on Instagram from January showing herself getting fitted for the mask which has to be worn during radiation to the brain.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Talks Shannen Doherty's Cancer Battlehttps://t.co/w4ymIrzzQU#sarahmichellegellar pic.twitter.com/zj7dyfUmGg
— Sᴀʀᴀʜ Mɪᴄʜᴇʟʟᴇ Gᴇʟʟᴀʀ ~ Iᴛᴀʟʏ 🇮🇹 (@ItaliaSmg) February 11, 2020
Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015 and has since undergone various treatments, including a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. She has experienced side effects such as frequent nosebleeds and extreme fatigue during her chemotherapy sessions. In February 2020, Doherty revealed that she was battling stage 4 breast cancer, three years after announcing that her initial cancer diagnosis had gone into remission. "A lot of people who get diagnosed with stage four, they sort of getting written off. It's assumed that they cannot work or they can't work at their full capacity. And that is not true. And that is something that I would really like for people to sort of stop assuming, and give us a chance to prove them wrong," she said per GMA.
The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' alum was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. https://t.co/KyDvGrtEyT
— Parade Mag 🧭 (@ParadeMagazine) June 7, 2023
Doherty's candidness about her journey serves as a way to educate and raise awareness about cancer. Through her social media posts, she hopes to encourage others to prioritize their health, undergo regular checkups, and eliminate fear in the face of medical challenges. “I had many nose bleeds from the chemo,” she previously shared. “Not sure if any of you experienced this. I also was beyond tired,” the actor revealed according to Page Six.
While the road has been challenging for Doherty, her strength and resilience continue to inspire her fans and raise awareness about the realities of living with cancer. Her courageous battle serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and maintaining a positive outlook in the face of adversity.
References:
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Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Neilson Barnard
