Shannen Doherty has shared a devastating update about her breast cancer, revealing that it has now spread to her brain.
The 52-year-old actress took to social media this week to make the shock announcement, posting a video of herself having a CT scan way back in January.
"January 12, 2023. On January 5th, my ct scan showed Mets in my brain. Yesterdays 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. I am extremely claustrophobic and there was a lot going on in my life," Doherty wrote in the caption.
"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," she added.
Doherty - who is best known for her roles in Charmed and Beverly Hills 90210 - was first diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2020. At the time, the actress told Good Morning America that she was "petrified", saying: "It's going to come out in a matter of days or week that I am stage four. So my cancer came back and that's why I am here."
She added: "I don't think I've processed it. It's a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways. 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."
Doherty also discussed her worries about how her mother and husband would cope, admitting: "I'm petrified. I'm pretty scared. My mom is a ridiculously strong, courageous human being and so is my husband, but I worry about him."
In her recent Instagram upload, Doherty's eyes were seen watering as she prepared to undergo treatment, while her doctors fed instructions to her. Fans and other famous faces were quick to offer their support for her in the comments section.
Fellow actress Selma Blair wrote: "This is a lot. This is a lot to take on, still again. And I am wishing for all the wise peace you have learned to find you in the terror moments. To know we are holding you. Love. All love."
Filmmaker Kevin Smith added: "Rooting for you, my irreplaceable friend. You have been such a fearless fighter your whole life, so it's understandable to be a little scared from time to time. But when those moments pass, let that indomitable Doherty spirit take over anew. I love you so much, my Mallrat."
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2021, Doherty posted an image of herself encouraging others to get their regular check-ups at the doctor.
"Is it all pretty? NO but it's truthful and my hope in sharing is that we all become more educated, more familiar with what cancer looks like," she captioned the post of herself with no hair and a nosebleed.
The Mallrats star continued: "I hope I encourage people to get mammograms, to get regular checkups, to cut thru the fear and face whatever might be in front of you. Finding humor helped get me thru what seemed impossible. I hope we all find humor in the impossible. #breastcancerawareness."
Our thoughts go out to Shannen Doherty at this difficult time.
