Shannen Doherty has been battling cancer since 2015. Sadly, Doherty has recently revealed that her cancer, which started as invasive breast cancer, has now spread to her brain. The Charmed actress, 52, has admitted to feeling emotional at the “turmoil” this latest development has generated.
After her 2015 diagnosis, Doherty was treated with hormone therapy, and underwent a single mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. By 2017, her cancer went into remission but in 2020, it returned as stage IV breast cancer – and spread to other places in her body.
Shannen Doherty reveals that her cancer has spread to her brain
Beverly Hills, 90210 veteran Doherty recently shared an emotional, vulnerable video in which she updated fans on her health. “On January 5th, my ct scan showed Mets in my brain,” said Doherty. “…January 12 the first round of radiation took place. My fear is obvious.” By “mets,” she is referring to the medical term brain metastases, which is when cancer cells spread from wherever their original site was and make it to the brain.
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“That fear…. The turmoil,” she continued, “the timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like.” Her video also shared, firsthand, what cancer treatment looks like, as she shared footage of some of the procedures she undergoes. Throughout the treatment, she has to wear a custom-fitted mask that holds her head absolutely still so that lasers can strike the tumors as accurately as possible.
Doherty has provided frequent updates on her journey
Historically, Doherty has been very transparent about her battle against cancer. She has shared both lighthearted and heartbreaking posts, with one photo showing her bald and with a bloody cotton ball in her mouth, while another photo shows her wearing Cookie Monster-themed hospital garb.
“Is it all pretty? NO,” Doherty has said in her posts, “but it’s truthful and my hope in sharing is that we all become more educated, more familiar with what cancer looks like.” However, she appreciates the support team she has behind her back, adding in her recent update, “I am fortunate as I have great doctors like Dr. Amin Mirahdi and the amazing techs at Cedar Sinai.”
