‘90210’ star Shannen Doherty: How is she dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis?
One of Shannen Doherty’s most iconic roles was the one she played in the original Beverly Hills, 90210. Doherty played Brenda Walsh, one of the two main protagonists. In the show, Brenda and her brother Brandon struggle to adjust to life in Beverly Hills after moving from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although the troubles Brenda faced in the show were pretty dramatic, Doherty’s own life has proven to be quite dramatic as well.
Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She worked to beat the disease, but the fiend came back in 2019. Those who have struggled with cancer diagnoses know the travails of living life with cancer. When it rears its ugly head after a remission, that can be one of the hardest times of all.
Despite the unfortunate lot she has drawn in life, Shannen Doherty has not given up hope. At 49 she’s living her healthiest life and trying her best to beat breast cancer once again.
Shannen Doherty’s breast cancer diagnosis
Shannen Doherty received her first breast cancer diagnosis in 2015. After fighting cancer for two years she was happy to kiss it goodbye. She reported that she was “done with chemo” and feeling better. Last year, Doherty’s breast cancer came back. To make matters worse, it’s been diagnosed as stage four cancer.
Doherty was determined to keep the details of her cancer news to herself for a little while because she wanted to prove that she was still able to work. Eventually, she made the decision to make the announcement about how grim her prognosis was herself. She didn’t want the information to reach the public some other way.
On an episode of ABC’s Good Morning America, Doherty said, “It’s going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I’m stage 4. So my cancer came back, and that’s why I’m here.”
Shannen Doherty has been so brave throughout the process of fighting breast cancer. Nevermind facing its recurrence. Even brave souls can get down-hearted when hit with such relentlessly bad news though. “I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways,” said Doherty.
Supportive friends are priceless in a fight with breast cancer
Throughout her fight with breast cancer, Doherty’s friends have proven invaluable. Doherty said in an Instagram post that Anne Marie Kortright has been particularly helpful in raising her spirits. She said that Kortright has been “relentless in getting me to hike and learning new ways to cook that feed my soul as well as my tummy but in a very healthy way.”
“Shannen’s a real tough girl, and Shannen’s a fighter, and she’s always been a fighter,” said Jason Priestley, Doherty’s former Beverly Hills, 90210 costar. Priestley catches up with Doherty every few months. He went on to say, “And I know that she will continue to fight as hard as she can. Last time I heard from her, she was in pretty good spirits.”
Shannen Doherty’s outlook on life with breast cancer
Doherty has been vocal on her social media about her journey. She posted this in an Instagram post: “After a year of dealing with cancer coming back and other stresses, I’m back at it. Taking care of myself and embracing every day. It’s not always easy. I have days I’m depressed or just plain lazy. But I push thru with the help of friends.”
Even though Doherty has pulled back on social media posts a bit, she still strives to be a motivating person in the midst of it all. “I want to be a beacon light for other people — or at least somebody that people can relate to and [with whom they can] have an honest conversation and talk about how hard it is,” said Doherty. “I do want to be raw and honest about it.”
Shannen Doherty will continue to deal with her breast cancer diagnosis as best as she can. She commented, “I’ll dig deep for the inner strength I need to face it all. I pray I do it all with dignity and grace. I have so much to say. So much to share. I will. For now. . . . please know how much you all help lift me.” Let’s hope that Doherty’s friends and family continue to support her throughout her journey.
