What the Late Shannen Doherty Revealed About Her Cancer Journey Before Her Tragic Death: Her Words

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, actress Shannen Doherty died at age 53 after a nine-year battle with breast cancer. Doherty is best known for her work in Heathers (1988), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990 to 1994) and Charmed (1998 to 2001). To honor the late actress, we have rounded up the most honest and candid Shannen Doherty quotes on cancer, including how she really felt about having the disease. Keep reading for more.

Entertainment

Check In with the Cast of ‘Heathers’ and See Where the Stars Are Today

Find out where each of the Heathers — and Veronica — landed after the film

Shannen Doherty’s quotes on getting cancer

Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She was 44 at the time and revealed to PEOPLE , “ I have breast cancer , and I am currently undergoing treatment. I am continuing to eat right, exercise and stay very positive about my life. I am thankful to my family, friends and doctors for their support and, of course, my fans who have stood by me.”

Shannen Doherty’s quotes on living with cancer

Over the next nine years, Doherty continued to live with cancer, detailing to PEOPLE that many assumed her life was over due to her diagnosis.

“ People just assume that it means you can’t walk, you can’t eat, you can’t work. They put you out to pasture at a very early age —‘You’re done, you’re retired,’ and we’re not,” Doherty said at the time, adding that she was actively changing her “outlook on life” amid her cancer experience.

Shannon Doherty’s quotes on having stage four cancer

In 2020, the actress shared on Good Morning America that her cancer had come back after her remission in 2017, and was stage four.

“It’s going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I’m stage 4. So my cancer came back, and that’s why I’m here. I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways,” she shared at the time, receiving immense support for her candidness and decision to be so publicly open about her diagnosis.

Wellness

Shannen Doherty Is ‘Staying Positive’ After Getting Tumor Test Results Back

Shannen Doherty recently went in for a tumor test and bone density scan, and after getting back the results, she said she's trying to stay positive.

Shannen Doherty’s quotes on having brain cancer

On June 6, 2023, the late actress took to Instagram and revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain. She wrote, “ On January 5th, my ct scan showed Mets in my brain . Yesterday's video was showing the process of getting fitted for the mask which you wear during radiation to your brain. January 12, the first round of radiation took place. My fear is obvious.”

She continued, noting to her followers her fear of enclosed spaces. “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.”

The late actress also shared a video of the brain scan, which you can see below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtKfA9QLdDm/

Shannen Doherty’s quotes on having surgery

A little over a week after Doherty’s initial post detailing her brain cancer diagnosis, she shared that the doctors took out the tumor — which she named Bob — writing on Instagram, “ January 16, 2023. Surgery. I had a tumor in my head they wanted to remove and also biopsy. I am clearly trying to be brave but I am petrified. The fear was overwhelming to me. Scared of all possible bad outcomes worried about leaving my mom and how that would impact her. Worried that I would come out of surgery not me anymore. This is what cancer can look like.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cte0OQPOpM9/

May Shannen Doherty rest in peace.