Shannen Doherty has given an update on her battle with stage four cancer and the "miracle" treatment that has provided her with some hope.
The 52-year-old actress first received her cancer diagnosis in 2015, and in 2020 it returned and she was diagnosed as being in stage four.
Expressing her initial fears on Good Morning America, Doherty said: "It's going to come out in a matter of days or weeks that I am stage four. So my cancer came back, and that's why I am here."
Reflecting on her situation, she added: "There's definitely days when I say 'why me,' and then I go, 'well, why not me, who else besides me deserves this?' None of us do."
In an emotional update to PEOPLE, Doherty revealed the disheartening progression of her illness. She shared: "I don’t want to die," emphasizing her determination to continue fighting.
Despite the situation, Doherty remains positive, stating: "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 just not — I’m not done."
Speaking with her radiation oncologist, Dr. Amin Mirhadi on the Let's Be Clear podcast, the actress delved into her cancer journey and the promising developments tied to a "miracle" treatment.
Doherty opened up about her decision to persist with a new cancer infusion, despite initially seeing minimal results after four treatments.
Reflecting on her experience she revealed: "After the sixth or seventh treatment, we really saw it breaking down the blood-brain barrier. Do I call that a miracle? Yeah. For me, that happens to be a miracle right now. That I sort of rolled the dice and said, 'Let's keep going.'"
Acknowledging the support from her other oncologist, Doherty expressed gratitude for the positive turn in her treatment. "That it's actually breaking down that blood-brain barrier is actually a miracle of that drug, a miracle of maybe God intervening and saying, 'I'm gonna give her a break.'"
Apart from the "miracle" treatment, Doherty credited her positive mindset for contributing to her health battle. She highlighted the importance of hope and positivity, stating: "Every day is a gift, and there are so many new things in the works that I think hope is always there. I think it's so important."
Adopting a pragmatic outlook, she added: "I can die today, I can die in 20 years, I don't know. Or I can die of cancer. But all I can do is live each day in as much of a positive manner with hope as I can and embrace it."
Doherty emphasized the role of positivity in the fight against cancer, saying: "I believe that positivity that you bring into your life, I think it helps with your whole body. I think that it helps you fight the cancer. Mind over matter a little bit."
We wish Doherty all the best going forward.
If you or somebody you know is struggling with a terminal illness, you can call the American Cancer Society support line on 1-800-227-2345 for emotional support and practical advice.