‘Really, Really, Really Blessed’: Shannen Doherty, 50, Says She Feels ‘Great’ Amid Stage 4 Breast Cancer Battle, Wakes Up ‘Excited’ To Work

In a new interview with ET, the 90210 veteran and seasoned actress is asked how she’s doing, and Doherty doesn’t hold back she’s not just good, she’s great. She says, “I'm doing great and I feel great. I feel really really really blessed. This year has just been phenomenal, and I've done a lot of work. I wake up in the morning so excited to go create and do my job, which is a job that I actually love. As somebody with cancer, you want to constantly put it out there that you're still hire-able."

Related: 'I'm Gonna Continue to Do All of It': Breast Cancer Warrior and Beloved Actress Shannen Doherty Has Filmed Three Movies Back-to-Back This Year

Doherty has filmed three movies back-to-back this year, and hasn’t let cancer slow her down in the slightest. She’s appearing in the new film Hot Seat starring Mel Gibson, and she recently acted alongside Bruce Willis, which she called “exciting.” Doherty plays a “badass general” in the movie with Willis, and their characters share a romantic moment together. Reflecting on her co-star, Doherty tells ET, “I find him to be very soft-spoken. You’re instantly drawn to him,” she says.

Next year marks the 40th year since Doherty’s first film role, which she had as a child when she voiced the animated character of Theresa in The Secret of NIMH cartoon feature based on the book series. “That film is very special, and it taught me so much,” she tells ET. 

Doherty’s Cancer Battle

Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 after finding a lump in her breast which turned out to be cancerous. She had hormone therapy to fight her cancer, but it was ineffective and the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Doherty underwent a single mastectomy and also had chemotherapy and radiation. After going into remission, she announced in February 2020 that her cancer returned, and this time it had spread to other parts of her body.

Related: When Should I Get a Mammogram?

Surgery, like the kind Doherty had (a single mastectomy), is a common treatment path for many people fighting breast cancer. In an earlier interview, Dr. Ann Partridge, an oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute explains the path to surgery.

She says, "So when I talk to a woman who comes to me and she has breast cancer, I evaluate what the standard options for treatment for her are, which typically include cutting out the cancer which is either a lumpectomy if you can get it all with just a little scooping around of the area that's abnormal or a mastectomy for some women meaning taking the full breast because sometimes these lesions can be very extensive in the breast."

When Should You Consider a Mastectomy?

Working Through Cancer

Many people continue working and thriving in their jobs even after a cancer diagnosis. Depending on the stage of your cancer at the time it’s diagnosed, and depending on your treatment path, you may find that your cancer has little impact on your day-to-day professional life.

Related: Olivia Newton-John, 73, Gives Fans an Update on Her Health Amid Metastatic Breast Cancer Fight: 'Your Mind Is a Very, Very Important Part of Your Healing'

People like Doherty prove that it’s possible to thrive professionally even while going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. If you decide to scale back on work or even leave your job entirely during cancer, that’s perfectly acceptable. Do what feels right for you. A social worker or counselor can help you determine the best course of action as you move through life as a cancer fighter.

The Value of Using a Social Worker During Treatment

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