Beverly Hills, 90210 star Shannen Doherty has detailed her breast cancer journey for fans throughout her diagnosis. She’s discussed the symptom that signaled her stage 4 breast cancer recurrence and even shared photos from scans amid her breast cancer battle in an Instagram post in 2022. On June 6, the star updated fans on her health, sharing the news that her stage 4 breast cancer has spread, or metastasized, to her brain.
The 52-year-old actress shared the news in an emotional Instagram post, in which she was getting fitted for a brain radiation cap. Doherty kept it real with fans, opening up about the disease’s progression.
“My fear is obvious,” she wrote in the video’s caption. “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. But that fear…. The turmoil….. the timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like.”
It’s been a long road for Doherty, who was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. After a mastectomy and chemotherapy, she announced she was in remission three years later. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2020.
Stage 4 breast cancer is when cancer spreads beyond the breasts, which is also known as metastasizing. The new tumors most commonly appear in the bones, liver, and lungs, but can sometimes spread to the brain, as in Doherty’s case. When this happens, radiation therapy is typically used to manage and improve symptoms of brain metastases, according to the American Cancer Society.
In Doherty’s latest Instagram video’s caption, she wrote that a CT scan in January 2023 detected “mets” (metastases) in her brain. One week after the 2023 CT scan, the star began her first round of radiation.
Friends flooded the comments with support for the actress. Long-time friend and fellow actress, Sarah Gellar, commented, “You are a warrior.” Filmmaker Kevin Smith 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.”
Fans also filled the comment section with well-wishes and support for Doherty. One fan commented, “You are a hero and we worship your strength and grace!” Another wrote, “You’re so damn heroic. All my love and good vibes.❤️❤️❤️”
We are sending Doherty love and support!
Editorial Assistant
Isabella Cavallo is a freelance editorial assistant at Prevention. She graduated from Binghamton University with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Isabella gained a passion for health journalism after a rare cancer diagnosis and treatment. When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to music, playing Bananagrams, or running through Central Park.
