Cancer is a dreaded word that evokes fear and uncertainty for many. It’s a diagnosis that people live in constant fear of receiving, as they imagine the worst-case scenario. But for some, cancer is a reality they have to face every day. Unless you have had a loved one who went through cancer treatment, it can be hard to truly understand the grueling process and its impact on the body. That’s why Shannen Doherty’s bravery in sharing her raw and honest experience with cancer is so important.
In October 2021, Shannen began sharing her journey with breast cancer on her Instagram page. It was a new step for her, as she had never gone into detail about it before. Her breast cancer had initially gone into remission in 2015, only to return in 2020 as stage four breast cancer. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she decided to open up and share her personal journey, including the not-so-pretty aspects.
“I’d like to share more of my own personal journey from my first diagnosis to my second,” she wrote. “Is it all pretty? NO, but it’s truthful. My hope in sharing is that we all become more educated, more familiar with what cancer looks like.”
Shannen Doherty invites both followers and non-followers to join her on her cancer treatment journey. Through her Instagram page, she documented the first round of radiation treatment. The journey had finally begun. She shared the process of getting a mask fitted for the CT scans she would wear during radiation to her brain. On January 12, 2023, she wrote, “On January 5th, my CT scan showed metastases in my brain. Yesterday’s video was showing the process of getting fitted for the mask which you wear during radiation to your brain.”
In addition to the physical challenges, Shannen also opened up about the emotional trauma she endured throughout the process. She revealed that she is claustrophobic and does not like small spaces. “January 12, the first round of radiation took place,” she wrote. “My fear is obvious. I am extremely claustrophobic, and there was a lot going on in my life. But that fear, the turmoil, the timing of it all… This is what cancer can look like.”
Shannen then shared a video of herself before undergoing surgery for a tumor removal and biopsy. On January 16, 2023, she wrote, “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. 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.”
Through her courageous journey, Shannen Doherty shines a light on the reality of cancer and its effects. Her honesty and vulnerability help us understand what it’s like to face such a challenging and life-altering illness. By sharing her experience, she brings awareness and education to a disease that affects so many. Shannen Doherty truly embodies bravery and serves as an inspiration to all.
