Shannen Doherty Opens Up About Her Battle With Breast Cancer
Last summer, Shannen Doherty was forced to go public with her breast cancer battle after paperwork from an existing lawsuit against her former manager revealed her diagnosis. Now, Doherty is opening up on her own terms about her battle with cancer and how it has made her relationships stronger.
In an interview with Dr. Oz, Doherty was clearly emotional talking about her battle with breast cancer, and how it affects her loved ones.
“You worry most about the people that you love and making sure that they are going to be okay. For me, that was the hardest part.”
Shannen Doherty and husband open up about breast cancer battle https://t.co/033hcyyD5q pic.twitter.com/IJqPzdfEQ7
— People Magazine (@people) February 18, 2016
As many know, Doherty had avoided going to the doctor, even though she felt a lump on her breast, due to her business manager’s failed attempt to pay her health insurance. This part of the story came out in a lawsuit against her former manager. According to the lawsuit, Doherty, “was informed that her cancer has spread during 2014 (when she was uninsured).” If she had gone to the doctor sooner, “the cancer could potentially have been stopped, thus obviating the need for future treatment (including mastectomy and chemotherapy) that [Doherty] will likely have to suffer through now.”
While on Dr. Oz’s show, Doherty went on to explain the ramifications this has caused on her health in terms of getting the cancer early.
“You have no idea what that extra time might have afforded you. Mine for instance spread to a lymph node or two. It might not have spread… The most important thing is catching it as early as humanly possible.”
Happy Valentines Day. Love from NY with @kurtiswarienko
A photo posted by ShannenDoherty (@theshando) on
As for her relationship with her husband, her husband said it made them stronger. Shannen revealed that the couple wanted children, but if she’s unable to have any because of the invasive treatment then they are open to adoption.
In the end, if Doherty will have to go through a mastectomy, she will, though she said that no decisions have been made thus far, because it’s still early in the game.
“They’re just breasts. In the grand scheme of things, I would rather be alive and I would rather grow old with my husband.”
As of right now, Doherty said she’s continuing to live a healthy lifestyle despite her battle.
“I am continuing to eat right, exercise and stay very positive about my life. I am thankful to my family, friends and doctors for their support and, of course, my fans who have stood by me.”
Doherty’s cancer battle hasn’t only affected her loved ones. As the Inquisitr reported, her old Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano has ended their feud in an effort to support the actress. Milano ended the feud with a single tweet.
@DohertyShannen Sending you love, light and strength.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) August 19, 2015
Knowledge of their feud stems from an interview where Milano described her time working on Charmed as a high school environment due to cast mates Shannen and Holly Marie Combs’ close friendship. Doherty famously left the series early in 2001, and was replaced by Rose McGowan. Milano went on to say, “We never really found out what happened. I can tell you that we were on the air with her for three years, and there were definitely some rough days.”
Of course, Milano isn’t alone in having a former feud with Doherty. Shannen’s 90210 co-stars Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling had their own issues with the actress. In fact, Spelling revealed that she had a huge part in getting Doherty fired from the hit teen show.
[Photo by FOX]
