Shannen's Support
- Shannen Doherty, 49, is battling metastatic breast cancer, and has a strong support network, including best friend Chris who she celebrated in a recent Instagram post.
- Doherty announced the return of her breast cancer in 2020; she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2015.
- Having a strong support network through cancer, and helpful resources like therapy and support groups, can help make the journey easier.
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Shannen’s Breast Cancer Battle
Doherty’s breast cancer battle began in 2015 after she found a lump in her breast. The actress had a biopsy, which revealed the lump discovered was cancerous. Doherty had hormone therapy to fight the cancer, but it was rendered ineffective because the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
Related: Breast Cancer: Overview
Doherty decided to have a single mastectomy, along with chemotherapy and radiation, to fight the disease. Surgery is a common treatment for many people facing breast cancer. In an earlier interview, Dr. Ann Partridge, an Oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute said, "So when I talk to a woman who comes to me and she has breast cancer, I evaluate what the standard options for treatment for her are. [Options] typically include cutting out the cancer which is either a lumpectomy if you can get it all with just a little scooping around of the area that's abnormal, or a mastectomy for some women meaning taking the full breast because sometimes these lesions can be very extensive in the breast. And I'll talk to a woman about that and I'll say these are two main options or the big fork in the road."
Doherty went into remission after treatment, but in February 2020, the actress shared that her breast cancer returned, and it was advanced. The cancer had spread to other parts of her body.
When Should You Consider a Mastectomy?
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer (also called “stage four” breast cancer) means that the cancer has spread or metastasized beyond the breasts, and to other parts of the body. Currently, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer. But there are a variety of treatment options used to battle this disease, including:
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted drugs
- Immunotherapy
- A combination of various treatments
Dr. Elizabeth Comen explained in a previous interview, "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."
Stage Four Breast Cancer Explained
Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with cancer can upend your life, and the lives of those close to you. Resources like therapy and support groups can help alleviate some of the tough emotions that often accompany a diagnosis, life grief, anxiety, and depression. Having a strong support network, like Doherty does, may help make the journey feel less lonely.
Some people find therapy and support groups to be helpful, too. In an earlier interview, Camila Legaspi discussed how she was in high school when her mom passed from breast cancer. Legaspi said that therapy helped her through that time immensely.
Related: The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
"Therapy saved my life," she said. "I was dealing with some really intense anxiety and depression at that point. It just changed my life because I was so drained by all the negativity that was going on. Going to a therapist helped me realize that there was still so much out there for me … that I still had my family, that I still had my siblings."
Related: Treating Depression After a Cancer Diagnosis
"The reality is when you lose someone, it's really, really, really hard. And it's totally OK to talk to someone, and I'm so happy that I talked to my therapist," said Legaspi.
"Therapy Saved My Life": After Losing A Loved One, Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help
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