Shannen Doherty, best known for her roles on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed," has shared an update on her stage 4 cancer diagnosis, revealing it has now spread to her bones.
Doherty Originally Diagnosed With Breast Cancer in 2015
Doherty, 51, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, later announcing she was in remission in April 2017.
However, in February 2020, Doherty revealed the cancer had returned as stage 4 and metastasized to other parts of her body. Stage 4 is the most advanced form of breast cancer.
| Stage | Description | 5-year Relative Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 0 | Cancer cells remain inside the breast duct | Almost 100% |
| Stage 1 | Tumor is 2 cm or less and hasn’t spread | 100% |
| Stage 2 | Tumor is 2-5 cm; cancer may have spread to lymph nodes | 93% |
| Stage 3 | Tumor is larger than 5 cm; cancer has spread to lymph nodes | 72% |
| Stage 4 | Cancer has spread to other organs | 27% |
"I Don’t Want to Die"
In a new interview with Elle magazine published Tuesday, Doherty opened up about her stage 4 diagnosis, revealing:
"I don’t want to die. There are days when I say, ‘F— it.’ I just don’t care. But there are people in my life who I don’t want to disappoint. There are people in my life that I still find joy for…and I still laugh and find funny."
She shared that while the cancer has now spread to her bones, she is trying to stay positive:
"I’m just sort of in this space of staying positive but being real with whatever may come my way, good or bad…I try to treasure all those small moments that most people don’t really see or take for granted. The small things are magnified because things could go away in a minute."
According to People, Doherty will open up further about her cancer journey on an upcoming podcast.
Doherty Gained Fame on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed"
Shannen Doherty first rose to fame playing Brenda Walsh on the hit 1990s teen drama "Beverly Hills, 90210" alongside Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth and Luke Perry.
After leaving 90210 in 1994, Doherty starred as witch Prue Halliwell on supernatural series "Charmed" from 1998 to 2001.
The Sun reports Doherty’s "Charmed" co-star Alyssa Milano said at the time:
“I think when there’s too much drama on a set, it actually takes away from the hard work that we’re doing. It consumed people.”
Doherty has continued working in TV over the years, most recently reprising her role of Brenda Walsh in the 2019 reboot of "Beverly Hills 90210" alongside original stars Garth, Priestley and Tori Spelling.
Doherty Uses Platform to Advocate for Cancer Awareness
Since publicly sharing her diagnosis, Doherty has used her platform to advocate for cancer awareness and early detection.
She told Elle the cancer has given her perspective on what’s important in life:
“I think cancer has made me realize you don’t have that much time anymore. Still, it’s taught me very quickly that if you start looking at your life and counting the years…well, that’s not a good path. It’s taught me to embrace life right now and not put things off.”
On her upcoming podcast, Doherty plans to explore topics like illness, look back on her acting career, and share what she’s learned through her cancer journey.
The podcast, titled "The Shannen Doherty Podcast," will premiere December 6 exclusively on Studio71 podcast network.
What Does the Future Hold?
While Doherty’s breast cancer returning and spreading to her bones is concerning news, she seems determined to maintain a positive outlook.
Her willingness to speak openly about her diagnosis continues to raise awareness around cancer and the importance of early detection.
Many fans are undoubtedly hoping new treatments may stabilize Doherty’s condition and allow her more healthy years ahead. But the road remains challenging; most people with stage 4 breast cancer live around 3 years on average, though some battle it much longer.
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