Shannen Doherty, actress known for her role in Beverly Hills 90210, bravely shared an update about her breast cancer treatment on Instagram. She posted an emotional video that showed her undergoing radiation therapy on her brain. Doherty disclosed that a CT scan from Jan. 5 had revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her brain. Brain metastases refer to the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor site to the brain. She underwent her first round of radiation therapy on Jan. 12.
Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and she had to undergo eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. By 2017, she had no evidence of disease (NED), meaning that no cancer was detected in her body at the time. However, her tumor markers, substances made by cancer cells or healthy cells in response to cancer, remained elevated.
In 2020, Doherty appeared on Good Morning America where she disclosed that her cancer had returned as a stage 4 diagnosis. Despite her diagnosis, Doherty has remained positive and open to the public about her cancer journey. More importantly, she took it upon herself to encourage other women to be aware of the risks and symptoms of breast cancer.
As part of breast cancer awareness month in October 2021, she urged her followers to get mammograms and regular checkups. She also encouraged them to face their fears and deal with whatever challenges may come their way.
Facing cancer can be challenging, and an honest and open conversation can go a long way to help individuals going through the journey. As Doherty has shown, sharing her experience and encouraging others to do the same can help raise awareness and provide invaluable support to those going through the same challenges.
Doherty’s courage, positivity, and willingness to share her story have made her an inspiration to many people dealing with cancer. Being transparent about cancer treatment and the struggles it brings can help eliminate anxiety and fear of the unknown. Additionally, it can help individuals develop a positive outlook and an ongoing strategy for dealing with the side effects of the disease as well as its treatment.
In conclusion, we all can learn from Doherty’s example of courage and openness. Her willingness to share her cancer journey helps raise awareness of the importance of cancer screening and early detection. It also provides enormous emotional support to those experiencing similar situations. By coming together and sharing our stories, we can continue to increase knowledge about this disease, reduce fear and anxiety surrounding the disease, and improve the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes.
