Shannen Doherty has shared that she will have to undergo chemotherapy again for her Stage 4 breast cancer, which has spread to her brain and bones.
During the latest episode of her podcast, Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty, the actress said:
“I thought I was fine. But I am having to go back on chemo and it’s really hard, like the idea of going through that all over again has wrecked me.”
Shannen went on to admit that she’s scared of the uncertainty surrounding the treatment.
“I have no idea how long I’m going to be on the chemo for, I have no idea if it’s going to be for three months, if it’s going to be six months or if after three months and it’s not working, if we’re going to change again… That’s not something that I can predict, it’s not something my doctors can predict. And it’s scary. It’s like a big wake-up call.”
Shannen has been continously candid throughout her cancer journey. In a December 2023 Let’s Be Clear episode, she revealed that she had to undergo brain surgery just days after learning her (now ex) husband of 12 years, Kurt Iswarienko, was allegedly having an affair.
“I went into that surgery early in the morning and I went in after I found out that my marriage was essentially over, that my husband had been carrying on an affair for two years,” she claimed.
Shannen said that upon learning about the affair, she decided to go into the brain surgery alone.
“To not go in that surgery, even though, being very clear, he wanted to go, I couldn’t go into that surgery with him there. I felt so betrayed.”
Shannen also candidly opened up about her cancer battle and shared that she’s not ready to die during an interview with People in November 2023.
Shannen Doherty has Stage 4 cancer that has spread to her brain and bones.
“I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better… I’m just not — I’m not done,” Shannen said.
“It’s insane to me [that] we still don’t have a cure,” she continued.
Furthermore, in June 2023, Shannen shared a video of herself undergoing radiation therapy along with the caption:
“January 12, [2023,] the first round of radiation took place. My fear is obvious. I am extremely claustrophobic and there was a lot going on in my life. I am fortunate as I have great doctors like Dr Amin Mirahdi and the amazing techs at Cedar Sinai [Medical Centre].”
WATCH: Shannen Doherty opens up about her battle with breast cancer
“But that fear…. The turmoil….. the timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like.”
Friends and fans alike commented on Shannen’s video with words of encouragement and praise.
Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote, “You are a warrior,” while Selma Blair – who’s fighting her own battle with Multiple Sclerosis – commented, “This is a lot. This is a lot to take on, still again. And I am wishing for all the wise peace you have learned to find you in the terror moments. To know we are holding you. Love. All love.”
Shannen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.
Kevin Smith, who directed Shannen in the 1995 film Mallrats, wrote, “Rooting for you, my irreplaceable friend. You have been such a fearless fighter your whole life, so it’s understandable to be a little scared from time to time. But when those moments pass, let that indomitable Doherty spirit take over anew. I love you so much, my Mallrat.”
Shannen, who first rose to fame for her role as Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. After undergoing a single mastectomy and chemotherapy in 2016, she went into remission in 2017.
Sadly though, in 2020, Shannen announced the cancer had returned as Stage 4 – meaning the cancer had spread from its original location (the breasts) to other parts of her body. In June 2023, she shared that the cancer had spread to her brain and in November 2023, she shared it had spread to her bones.
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