Cancer inevitably imposes a heavy burden on those directly affected by it, but what often goes unspoken is the profound impact it has on the close circles of the sufferers.
Thankfully, many individuals are fortunate to have a resilient support network to guide them through the darkest moments of facing this relentless disease. Relying on each other becomes crucial, and the strength and encouragement from a loved one can truly make a significant difference.
In June of this year, 52-year-old actress Shannen Doherty unveiled the distressing news that her stage four cancer had metastasized to her brain, triggering an outpouring of sympathy and sadness from fans worldwide.
The star of Beverly Hills, 90210, and Charmed had initially been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, achieving remission two years later after undergoing treatment.
Tragically, Doherty disclosed in 2020 on Good Morning America that her cancer had not only returned but had escalated to stage four.
“It’s going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I’m stage four,” she shared. “So my cancer came back and that’s why I’m here.”
During that time, Doherty had kept her diagnosis mostly private while working on a BH90210 reboot. One of the few confidants she trusted was her Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Brian Austin Green.
“I had moments of great anxiety where I thought, ‘I can’t really do this,’ and Brian was the one person who – of that group of people that knew – that I told, like, pretty quickly and said, ‘Here, this is what I’m dealing with’,” she explained.
“So prior to shooting he would always call me and say, ‘Listen, you know, whatever happens, I have your back.’ He would look at me and be like, ‘We got this, kiddo’…so Brian helped me through a lot.”
In a recent interview with the Herald Sun, Green provided an update on his close friend’s condition.
“We talk all the time,” he shared. “She’s an incredibly tough person. If there’s anyone who could put up a real fight to cancer – she’s one of them.
“It’s not an easy situation, obviously, but I love her to death.
“And she’s making the absolute best of it.”
Doherty has earned widespread admiration for the transparent nature of her cancer journey. The actress has been remarkably open with her fans, aiming to keep them informed at every stage of her battle.
In June of this year, Doherty shared footage of her first radiotherapy treatment, explaining: “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.
“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.”