The news of Shannen Doherty’s passing shocked the world, leaving many in mourning. The Charmed star, who was 53, had been battling cancer for the past seven years.
Just days before her tragic passing, Doherty shared a heartbreaking post online. Throughout her struggle with the disease, she often updated her followers about her health. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she revealed it had spread to at least one lymph node.
After undergoing several surgeries and treatments, Doherty experienced a remission. However, the cancer returned, and in 2020, she announced that she had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, indicating that it had spread to various parts of her body.
By 2023, Doherty confirmed that the cancer had metastasized to her brain and bones, leading to a surgery that removed almost all of the brain tumor. In her final social media post, she shared a clip from the Let’s Be Clear podcast on her Instagram page, discussing her ongoing chemotherapy.
“So, you know, for the first time in I have no idea how long, I’m going to be on chemo for I have no idea if it’s going to be, you know, three months or if it’s going to be six months or if we are going, you know, if after three months if it’s not working if we’re going to change again,” she said in the clip. “Like, I don’t really, that’s not something that I can predict. It’s not something my doctors can predict and it’s scary.
It’s like a big wake-up call at the same time I have to say that there is some positivity there and the positivity is that the molecular structure of my cancer cells changed recently. It means that there are a lot more protocols for me to try. So, you know, for the first time in a couple of months probably I feel hopeful because there are so many more protocols now. Whereas before I was hopeful but I was still getting prepared.”
Doherty’s death was confirmed on July 14 by her friend and publicist, Leslie Sloane. “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. The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace.”
We are deeply sorry for this devastating loss. May she rest in peace.