Shannen Doherty’s announcement on Tuesday that she has stage 4 breast cancer has been met with an outpouring of support from a sisterhood of former cast mates and friends.
Doherty, who shared her news in an incredibly moving interview on “Good Morning America,” said the diagnosis came about a year ago, but that she chose to keep the news private as she worked on the "90210" reboot, "BH90210,” which has since been cancelled.
Read MoreNot long after her appearance, the "90210" star posted an uplifting cartoon on Instagram that proved her spirit has not been shaken. "We only live once, Snoopy," Charlie Brown says. To which Snoopy replies, "Wrong! We only die once. We live every day!"
Shannen Doherty’s Support Network
Colleagues and friends quickly expressed their support and shared words of inspiration.
Actor Sarah Michelle Gellar, perhaps best known for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” shared a throwback photo of the duo together captioned, “Life is tough…but you are tougher.” She also commented on Doherty’s latest Instagram post, saying, “I get to live my life with you, that makes me the lucky one.”
Both of Doherty’s “Charmed” costars and on-screen sisters shared their best wishes. Alyssa Milano posted a beautiful photo of Doherty captioned, “Holding you tight in my heart.”
The last third of the “Charmed” sisterhood, Rose McGowan, also posted a photo of Doherty captioned, “We are with you in spirit. You are a brave warrior woman and inspire so many. I send you strength and peace on your journey.”
A number of Doherty’s girlfriends sent their well wishes through comments on her Charlie Brown Instagram post.
Selma Blair, who is publicly dealing with multiple sclerosis, said, “You are lighting up the path. You are loved.”
“Sending lots of love, support, and animal vibes to make you smile xoxo,” Doherty’s former “Beverly Hills, 90210” costar Tori Spelling responded.
Doherty’s close friend, model Anne Marie Kortright, commented, “Love you!!”
Kate Beckinsale sent her love with a slew of heart emojis on the post.
Shannen Doherty’s Cancer Journey
Doherty was public about her first journey with cancer after a 2015 biopsy determined that a lump in her breast was cancerous, she told Health. She initially tried to fight the disease through hormone therapy but, due to the cancer spreading to her lymph nodes, it was ineffective. A year after her diagnosis, she had a single mastectomy and underwent courses of chemotherapy and radiation followed by reconstructive surgery.
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After facing cancer, Doherty's relationship with her body changed. "I love that my body is strong and that it has the ability to fight something like cancer," she said. "Importantly, my perception of sexy has changed. For me now, sexy is strength. Sexy is vulnerability. Sexy is compassion. Sexy is grace. Why should I care so much about the physical shell?"
At the time she acknowledged that the treatment had caused her to enter menopause, making pregnancy impossible without taking hormone pills. She decided against it due to fear that estrogen levels can increase the chance of cancer returning.
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