Shannen Doherty shares update on stage 4 breast cancer: 'I'm not done with life'
"Beverly Hills, 90210" actor Shannen Doherty is opening up about the latest in her battle against stage 4 breast cancer.
Cancer cells have spread to her bones, Doherty recently shared with People magazine for her cover story, which goes on newsstands Friday. "But we're on a really good regimen now, and it's working well for me," she said.
As the 52-year-old continues to undergo treatment and seek clinical trials to join, she wants to dispel the idea that she's helpless.
"People don't know a lot about cancer. I think they sort of assume 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," she told the magazine.
"We're vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We're just so grateful for every second, every hour, every day we get to be here. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward."
Shannen Doherty is 'not afraid of dying' — but she's 'not done with life'
Doherty's first round of breast cancer began in 2015. Several years after she announced that she was in remission, the actor revealed on 'Good Morning America" in February 2020 that she had been privately living with cancer again for a year.
The "Charmed" star has been candid about her journey on social media and in June shared that the cancer had spread to her brain. Doherty had the tumor surgically removed and underwent radiation. "It's definitely one of the scariest things I've ever been through in my entire life," she told People.
"I'm not afraid of dying. I just don't want to die," Doherty said. "I'm not done with life. 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 not done."
She added, "My greatest memory's yet to come."
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Doherty feels there's still a lot left for her to do.
"My life up until this moment was all getting me ready for what God has me here to accomplish," she said. "And I think that's to reach people who have cancer, who are impacted by it in such a profound way, to help bring awareness, to help raise money."
She added, "It's insane to me that cancer has been around this long and we still don't have a cure. I do it because I have a platform, and I have a responsibility not only to myself but to my fellow cancer family."
It's not in Doherty's DNA to give up, after all.
"It takes work and perseverance and a lot of dedication and faith to get through certain things, and I have an amazing support system. I'm not a quitter," Doherty said.
Amidst all of this, Doherty has embarked on a new venture as a podcast host. Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty will be a "live memoir podcast" that is "a raw and candid exploration of Shannen’s personal journey covering everything from her TV and film credits to her stage four cancer battle, friendships, divorces and more," according to a press release.
It will debut Dec. 7.
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