Shannen Doherty's Life With Stage 4 Breast Cancer
- Despite living with stage 4 breast cancer, actress Shannen Doherty is still finding time to what she enjoys, displaying her latest garden haul on Instagram.
- Doherty first revealed she had cancer in 2015. After going into remission, the cancer returned and she has publicly discussed how she’s coping while still working and enjoying life.
- While there is technically no cure for metastatic breast cancer, there is a wide variety of treatment options used to battle the disease including hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy and a combination of various treatments.
The 90s icon took to Instagram to share the latest haul from her garden on Instagram, which included cherry tomatoes, peppers, avocado and much more.
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Her legions of fans chipped in some thoughts, including recipe recommendations.
"Those tomatoes are begging for some mozzarella, basil, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar reduction," wrote one.
"Nothing better than home grown fruits and vegetables. You can taste the difference. Happy cooking, enjoy your meal," wrote another.
Doherty, who is best known for her roles in Heathers, Charmed and, of course, Beverly Hills, 90210, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 after finding a lump in her breast. At first, she was treated with hormone therapy, but this effort turned out to be ineffective as the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Shannen is now living an active and healthy lifestyle while managing the disease long-term.
What Food Can – And Can’t – Do
Leading doctors advise pursuing healthier habits upon a cancer diagnosis. It isn't just Doherty's perseverance in her work ethic that set examples for patients wanting to maintain somewhat normal lifestyles; the actress's garden is hitting her followers' Instagram feeds, and she continues to prove that it's possible to be a health queen even when facing one of the toughest health burdens a person can overcome.
Diet can play a major role in overall health, but there is a lot of misinformation out there about how certain foods can be beneficial in fighting cancer.
Dr. Sagar Lonial from Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University says that, "the whole idea behind a lot of these things you see on the web that are either immune enhancers or do things to limit the growth of cancer, such as restricting sugar or carbohydrates in your diet I wish that a lot of those rumors and myths were held up to the same level of scientific rigor that I'm asked to provide when I recommend a treatment for patients."
Cutting "Pro-Inflammatory" Foods From Your Diet Can Reduce Cancer Risk
Shannen Doherty’s Breast Cancer Journey
Doherty first battled breast cancer between March 2015 and April 2017, but two years ago, she told the public that the cancer had returned and was now classified as stage 4.
"It's going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I'm stage IV. So my cancer came back. And that's why I'm here," she told Good Morning America at the time. "I don't think I've processed it. It's a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways."
Despite the diagnosis, Doherty isn’t just exercising her green thumb, she’s also been hard at work on the set. She released three different projects in 2021 and starred in 2022’s Hot Seat. Her film How to Make A Deal with the Devil, in which she played the title character recently wrapped production. Perhaps most excitingly, she is rumoued to be making a return to director Kevin Smith’s cinematic universe in the possibly upcoming Twilight of the Mallrats.
"I don't think there was ever even a thought that I wouldn't work," Doherty told Variety. "When you can't imagine not doing [the things you love], you just go, 'Well, I'm gonna continue to do all of it!'"
And despite the utmost confidence in herself, Doherty said it could be tough to convince employers she could handle the work.
"Stage 4 cancer, it doesn't mean the end of your life," she said. "It doesn't mean that you're not viable in the workplace. It's quite the opposite."
About Stage 4 Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer also called "stage four" breast cancer means that the cancer has spread, or metastasized, beyond the breasts to other parts of the body. It most commonly spreads to the bones, liver and lungs, but it may also spread to the brain or other organs.
And while there is technically no cure for metastatic breast cancer, there is a wide variety of treatment options used to battle the disease including hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy and a combination of various treatments.
An Overview Of Treatment Options For Advanced Breast Cancer
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explained how she tries to management breast cancer when it has progressed to a later stage.
"With advanced disease, the goal of treatment is to keep you as stable as possible, slow the tumor growth and improve your quality of life," she said.
Life doesn't slow down for a cancer diagnosis, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Like Shannen Doherty explains beautifully, it's important to remember that a cancer diagnosis even stage four does not mean the end of your life. In fact, our experts say that prioritizing your overall wellbeing and continuing to do the things that you love can be very beneficial.
Dr. Geoffrey Oxnard, a thoracic oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, shared three things he tells his lung cancer patients about living with the disease:
- Don't act sick "You can't mope around," he said. "Do things, and in doing things, you will stay active."
- Don't lose weight "Eat what you need to do to not lose weight," he said. "I like my patients pleasantly plump."
- Don't be a tough guy "When you've got lung cancer, you need work with your doctor to keep your medical conditions under control."
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.