Just two weeks ago in her last Instagram post before her death, Shannen Doherty said she was feeling ‘hopeful’ about the future.
The 90210 and Charmed actress died aged 53 after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago.
‘It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,’ Doherty’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed in a statement to People.
Just two weeks ago, she discussed her health in her final Instagram post, in which she confessed to feeling hopeful, but scared.
‘I have no idea how long I’m going to be on chemo for,’ she began on her podcast Let’s Be Clear.
‘I have no idea if it’s going to be three months, or if it’s going to be six months. Or if after three months it’s not working, if we’re going to change again.
‘That’s not something that I can predict. It’s not something my doctors can predict. It’s scary. It’s a big wake up call.
‘At the same time there is some positivity there, that because my molecular structure of my cancer cells changed recently, it means there’s a lot more protocols for me to try.
‘For the first time in a couple of months I feel hopeful. Because there are so many more protocols now, whereas before I was hopeful but I was still getting prepared.’
Since she was first diagnosed with the disease, the 90210 star has kept fans updated on her health.
In 2017, Doherty announced she was in remission, but three years later in 2020 the beloved actress informed fans the cancer had returned and was stage four.
‘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 said on Good Morning Britain at the time.
‘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.’
In June last year, Doherty posted a video of herself on Instagram receiving chemotherapy, in which she revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and was terminal.
Explaining the candid video, Doherty explained how her ‘fear is obvious’ as she underwent radiation treatment.
‘I am extremely claustrophobic and there was a lot going on in my life,’ she said alongside the footage of her going through the treatment.
‘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 [sic].’ she added.
In an interview in November, Doherty revealed the cancer had spread to her bones, but said she didn’t want to die.
‘I don’t want to die,’ she told People Magazine. ‘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.’
Explaining how she still felt ‘blessed’ despite everything, Doherty went on to explain the misconceptions people have about those living with cancer.
‘People just assume that 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,’ she said. ‘“You’re done, you’re retired,” and we’re not.
‘We’re vibrant, and we have such a different outlook on life. We are people who want to work and embrace life and keep moving forward.
‘I know it sounds cheesy and crazy, but you’re just more aware of everything, and you feel so blessed.
‘We’re the people who want to work the most, because we’re just so grateful for every second, every hour, every day we get to be here.’
Opening up about her fear of dying, Doherty uploaded a video from a hospital bed last summer, which was taken in January 2023.
She captioned the clip: ‘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.’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information
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