Shannen Doherty has given fans another candid look at life with metastatic breast cancer, which has spread to her brain.
The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress, 52, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, which had spread to her lymph nodes, but was declared to be in remission in 2017 after having undergone a mastectomy as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She revealed in February 2020 that the cancer had returned a year prior and was now stage four, and devastatingly revealed in June 2023 that it had spread to her brain.
Shannen has since shared a series of honest posts showing the reality of battling cancer, including her fears before undergoing surgery and a biopsy on her brain.
The actress shared a clip of her laying in a hospital bed with a face mask and a hairnet on, as she spoke to a doctor who talked her through the procedure she was about to have.
Shannen admitted in the caption of her post that she was terrified despite putting a brave face on in the moment, writing: "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."
Earlier in the month, Shannen had updated fans that her breast cancer had metastasized, writing: "January 12, 2023. 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. 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."
She had also previously admitted she was "fighting to stay alive" in 2021 after revealing that the cancer had returned, saying on Good Morning America: "I never want to operate [like I’m dying].
"I just want to operate as I don’t have things to check off because I’m going to keep fighting to stay alive."
In April 2023, she also revealed that she and her husband, Kurt Iswarienko, were divorcing after 12 years together.
The pair's divorce papers were filed in Los Angeles, with sources claiming the couple had separated in January.
Featured image credit: Tibrina Hobson/WireImage
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