Shannen Doherty’s Resilient Journey: Navigating Life’s Challenges as Cancer Spreads to Bones (Exclusive)
Shannen Doherty doesn’t beat around the bush. “I don’t want to die,” she declares, bathed in a sliver of Los Angeles sunshine during her PEOPLE cover shoot just four days before Thanksgiving. The ’90s TV icon, known for her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210, and Charmed
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Shannen Doherty’s Candid Revelation: Unfiltered Insights into Her Battle with Stage 4 Breast Cancer
remains characteristically candid and dry-witted as she shares her journey with Stage 4 breast cancer that has made itself at home in her bones. As she battles the illness, the 52-year-old actress is more determined than ever to keep pushing forward. “I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better,” she grins, adding, “I’m just not — I’m not done.”
From ‘90210’ to the Present: Reflecting on Shannen Doherty’s Eight-Year Cancer Odyssey
Shannen Doherty’s eight-year tussle with cancer has prompted her to ponder the grand tapestry of her life. This introspective theme takes center stage on her upcoming podcast, Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, premiering Dec. 6 on iHeartRadio. Here, she plans to delve into everything from career highs and past relationships to the myriad stages of her illness and health routines.
Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty: A Sneak Peek into Her Upcoming Podcast Exploring Life’s Big Picture
Since her initial cancer diagnosis in 2015, which she first shared with PEOPLE, Shannen Doherty underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. In 2017, she joyously announced her remission on Instagram. However, the joy was short-lived, as the cancer made a comeback in 2019, reaching metastatic stage 4. When you ask yourself, ‘Why me? Why did I get cancer?’ and then ‘Why did my cancer come back? Why am I stage 4?,’ that leads you to look for the bigger purpose in life,” she reflects.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness: Shannen Doherty’s Mission to Fund Research and Break Stereotypes
Shannen Doherty’s mission extends beyond herself. She aims to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, emphasizing that individuals with terminal cancer still have much to offer the world. “It’s insane to me [that] we still don’t have a cure,” she remarks.
In a moment of dark humor, Shannen Doherty revealed on Instagram that the cancer had infiltrated her brain, referring to the tumor as “Bob.” With a chuckle, she shares, “He had to get removed and dissected to see his pathology. It was definitely one of the scariest things I’ve ever been through in my entire life.”
Navigating the Rollercoaster: Shannen Doherty’s Humorous Take on Facing Brain Tumor ‘Bob’
Currently, Shannen Doherty aspires to join clinical trials for emerging treatments, fueled by her determination to prove that she can work despite her diagnosis. She challenges the stereotype that individuals with cancer are confined to a sedentary life, asserting, “We’re vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward.”
Each morning, Shannen Doherty wakes up grateful for another day with her loved ones and her German shepherd, Bowie. “My greatest memory is yet to come,” she expresses optimistically. “I pray. I wake up and go to bed thanking God, praying for the things that matter to me without asking for too much. It connects me to a higher power and spirituality. My faith is my mantra.”
Shannen Doherty’s Daily Gratitude: Finding Strength and Purpose Amidst Cancer’s Challenges
For Shannen Doherty, cancer has heightened the intensity of life’s experiences, making the sky seem bluer and every moment more poignant. “I know it sounds cheesy and crazy, but you’re just more aware of everything, and you feel so blessed,” she shares. “We’re the people who want to work the most because we’re just so grateful for every second, every hour, every day we get to be here.”
