Shannen Doherty's Public Cancer Battle Creates A Platform For Support
- Actress Shannen Doherty, 52, often takes to Instagram to offer insight into her stage four breast cancer journey. While doing so, fans and loved ones have expressed immense support and love for the “Charmed” actress.
- Her posts on Instagram seem to be helping people battling cancer feel “less alone.” Doherty’s braveness and optimism is an inspiration to anyone fighting disease or any other type of hardship.
- Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 after finding a lump in her breast that turned out to be cancerous. Her cancer later returned and spread to her lymph nodes.
- 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. There is technically no cure, but advancements in treatments can dramatically improve outcomes and that is something to be hopeful for.
- The beloved actress, known for playing Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” revealed earlier this month that cancer had spread to her brain, and surgery was done to remove the tumor in her brain.
“Charmed” actress Shannen Doherty, 54, has created a remarkable platform for love and support say her fans as she bravely battles stage four breast cancer and shares her most vulnerable moments on social media during such a difficult time.
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“Scared of all possible bad outcomes, worried about leaving my mom and how that would impact her. Worried that I would come out of surgery not me anymore. This is what cancer can look like.”
In response to Doherty’s Instagram post, actress and former fashion model Kelly Hu, 55, commented, “Seeing so many comments of people offering encouragement to you and to so many others who are going through similar struggles gives me hope for humankind.
“By sharing your story you are hosting a beautiful platform of love and support for not just yourself but for so many people who have been affected by cancer. Hang in there, Sister! You can fight this! (You're a PUMA! Lol)”
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Fans also flooded the comments section of the “Charmed” star with support, with one saying, “I've looked up to you since I was 14 years old but now more so than ever, through fear and worry your strength and bravery will prevail every time!
“You’re so loved. My prayers and heart are with you every day. #FightLikeShannen”
A third fan wrote, “Stay strong … As a cancer survivor I found strength within myself that I never knew I had … A brave face and positive attitude is essential in overcoming any adversity in life … God bless you always.”
“There will be people seeing this who are going through their own journey or know somebody who is,” a fourth fan commented. “Those people will feel less alone, because of you. It's those, "scared" moments that make us what we are. Human.”
Doherty’s friend, Anne Marie Kortright Martinez, 41, also shared some praise in the comments section.
“You are truly a warrior!! I may not say this enough to you, but I am always in such awe of your bravery,” Martinez wrote. “No matter what's happening in your life, you are always so strong for Mama Rosa and all of us around you when we need you. You are truly a Ride or Die kind of a friend. Love you so mucho my beautiful ShannEn with an E.”
In response to another video clip, revealing Doherty’s fear, of getting fit for a mask to be worn during radiation, director and producer Kevin Smith, 52, wrote, “Rooting for you, my irreplaceable friend. You have been such a fearless fighter your whole life, so it's understandable to be a little scared from time to time.
“But when those moments pass, let that indomitable Doherty spirit take over anew. I love you so much, my Mallrat.”
Doherty captioned that post of her getting fitted for the mask, “January 12, 2023. On January 5th, my ct scan showed Mets in my brain. Yesterday’s video was showing the process of getting fitted for the mask which you wear during radiation to your brain. January 12, the first round of radiation took place.”
She continued, “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.”
Her emotional post prompted another fan to comment, “I’m a hospital social worker, and I don't have the opportunity to see this part of my patients’ struggle. Thank you for being so open about this. As someone who cares deeply for my patients, I'm grateful for this education.
“While I don't know what this feels like myself, I will forever think about your story to make sure I'm giving my patients the most empathetic and supportive care I'm humanly able to.”
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) warrior Selma Blair also commented, saying, “This is a lot. This is a lot to take on, still again. And I am wishing for all the wise peace you have learned to find you in the terror moments. To know we are holding you. Love. All love.”
Shannen Doherty's Cancer Battle
Shannen Doherty first received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 after she discovered a lump in her breast. For treatments the first time around, she underwent hormone therapy, a single mastectomy (the removal of all breast tissue from one breast), chemotherapy and radiation.
Then in 2017, Doherty was deemed to be in remission, however, the cancer returned just two years later in 2019.
This time, her diagnosis was metastatic, or stage four, breast cancer.
Metastatic Breast Cancer: You Are Not a Statistic
There is technically no cure for metastatic breast cancer, but that doesn't mean people can't live good, long lives with this stage of disease, thanks to hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs and immunotherapy, as well as a combination of treatments.
“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,” SurvivorNet advisor Dr. Elizabeth Comen, an oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said about metastatic breast cancer management.
"I treat women day in and day out who have metastatic breast cancer, and I see the fear in their eyes, and I also see the hope in their eyes. And I share in that hope. Why do I share in that hope? Because I have so many patients who are living with their cancer… It isn't just about living, but living well.”
As explained above, Doherty’s cancer has since spread to her brain, otherwise known as brain metastasis. She's since undergone both radiation and surgery to improve her prognosis. The surgery she underwent is called a craniotomy.
“It's a procedure to cut out a tumor and it can be metastasized or a tumor that started someplace else like the breasts and went to the brain especially if the tumor is causing symptoms or if it's large,” Dr. Kimberly Hoang, a board-certified neurosurgeon at Emory University School of Medicine, explained.
Several neurosurgeons tell SurvivorNet that the procedure can allow patients with cancer in their brain to live longer, more vibrant lives, and this appears to be the case with Doherty seen smiling this week.
“A couple of decades ago, to have a brain metastasis was a very bad prognosis for patients. They didn't live for more than a couple of months, so it was a very terminal thing. Thanks to a lot of advancements in microsurgery we do and radiation…patients are living longer,” Dr. Hoang said.
What are the Treatment Options for Late-Stage Breast Cancer?
The Importance of Support
Having a strong support system is crucial during the emotionally and physically taxing job of fighting cancer. As Doherty fights this disease, her quality of life is enhanced by among other things the supportive friendships (and support from fans) she clearly holds so dear.
The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
“Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin told SurvivorNet.
“The act of sharing our time and words with others can alleviate emotional and physical pain.”
In order to receive support, however, it is imperative you share at least some details about your cancer journey with others. But whom you share with and how much to share is entirely up to you.
Do I Need to Share My Cancer Diagnosis in Social Situations?
“Some people start to kind of share the information with many family members and friends, and they feel that works for them, and that it's a way that they can get support from other people,” New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik said. “Other people are much more private about it, and there is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
Some cancer survivors don't need to go beyond their circle of family and friends for support, but others might need a little extra help. For the latter group, Dr. Plutchik recommends reaching out to a mental health professional who has experience working with cancer warriors.
“Try to find a mental health professional who is experienced in this area and who really understands the nuance and intricacies involved in this," Dr. Plutchik explained. “Make sure that the mental health professional that you work with is reaching out with your consent to the rest of the team, to the oncologist, to the surgeon if those people are involved.
“It can be helpful to reach out to family, friends, anybody else, any other caretakers that would be involved in the person's treatment… You don't want a situation where everybody is kind of doing their own thing on the team.”
'Faith, Family, and Friends’ Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment
We love how Doherty is keeping an attitude of gratitude and remaining grateful for her community. Having a strong support network through cancer is so important.
Ovarian cancer fighter Beverly Reeves shared in an earlier interview how she thinks having a strong community during cancer is critical. She told SurvivorNet, “If I had one piece of advice for someone who had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it would be to get a strong support group together. Get your close friends. If you're connected to a faith community, get your faith community.”
She continued, “Get your family. Let them know what's going on and let them help you. And sometimes that's the most difficult thing to do, but just know that they are there. If they love you, they're there to help you.”
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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