“I am clearly trying to be brave, but I am petrified,” shared Shannen Doherty, the beloved Charmed alum, who has been candid about her ongoing health struggles since her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis in February 2020.
Facing the Fear
Recently, Doherty posted a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram as she prepared for surgery to remove a brain tumor. In her heartfelt caption, she expressed her fears: “Surgery. They wanted to biopsy and remove a tumor from my head. I’m trying to be courageous, but I’m scared to death. To me, the fear was overwhelming.” She articulated her worries about potential negative outcomes, her concern for her mother, and her anxieties about how the surgery might alter her appearance. “This is what cancer may look like,” she reflected.
Health Updates and Challenges
On January 5, a CT scan revealed that Doherty had brain metastases, a condition where cancer cells spread from their original site to the brain. She documented her experience undergoing radiation therapy on January 12, acknowledging her fears and struggles with claustrophobia. “I am blessed to have fantastic doctors like Dr. Amin Mirahdi and the incredible technologists at Cedar Sinai. But this is what cancer can look like. The anxiety, the confusion, the timing of it all,” she explained.
Community and Support
At a recent Charmed panel during 90s Con, Doherty updated fans about her health, stating, “I’m feeling great, thank you! This audience is incredible.” Her presence and positivity resonated with those who gathered to celebrate the show.
Advocacy and Awareness
Since her initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 and subsequent relapse in 2017, Doherty has made it a point to share her journey openly. “Is it all pretty? NO, but it’s truthful, and my hope in sharing is that we all become more educated, more familiar with what cancer looks like,” she wrote on Instagram in October 2021. Her advocacy encourages others to prioritize their health by getting mammograms and regular checkups, aiming to cut through the fear surrounding cancer.
