Watching a close friend or family member battle cancer is a terrible experience, even when the ultimate outcome is victory. Cancer not only takes a heavy toll on the sufferers, but it also affects the loved ones who support them. Leaning on each other becomes vital, and the strength and support from a loved one can go a long way in helping the cancer patients through their darkest hours.
In June of this year, 52-year-old actress Shannen Doherty bravely revealed that her stage four cancer had spread to her brain, eliciting sympathy and sorrow from her fans worldwide. Doherty, known for her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. After undergoing treatment, she went into remission two years later. Sadly, Doherty appeared on Good Morning America in 2020 to announce that not only had her cancer returned, but it had reached stage four.
“It’s going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I’m stage four. So my cancer came back, and that’s why I’m here,” she revealed during the interview. Doherty admitted that she had kept the news hidden for a year, saying, “I don’t think I’ve processed it.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways.” While working on a reboot of BH90210, Doherty chose to keep her damaging diagnosis mostly to herself, confiding in only a few close friends, including her Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Brian Austin Green.
Reflecting on their friendship, Doherty shared, “I had moments of great anxiety where I thought, ‘I can’t really do this,’ and Brian was the one person who – of that group of people that knew – that I told, like, pretty quickly and said, ‘Here, this is what I’m dealing with’.” Green was there for her, providing constant support and reassurance. “So prior to shooting, he would always call me and say, ‘Listen, you know, whatever happens, I have your back.’ He would look at me and be like, ‘We got this, kiddo’… so Brian helped me through a lot.”
In a recent interview with the Herald Sun, Green gave an update on Doherty’s condition. “We talk all the time,” he said. “She’s an incredibly tough person. If there’s anyone who could put up a real fight against cancer, she’s one of them. It’s not an easy situation, obviously, but I love her to death. And she’s making the absolute best of it.”
Doherty has received widespread admiration for her candidness throughout her cancer journey. In an effort to keep her fans updated every step of the way, she has been extremely open about her experiences. She even shared footage of her first radiotherapy treatment earlier this year, acknowledging her fears and the turmoil that cancer brings. Doherty’s strength and determination have been an inspiration to many.
If you’re a fan of Shannen Doherty, share this article on social media to show your support as she battles cancer. Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever witnessed a loved one contend with this horrible disease. Spread love and support in the face of cancer.
