Shannen Doherty, best known for appearing in Beverly Hills, 90210, and Charmed, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 at the age of 43. In April of 2017, following intensive treatment, she announced that she was in remission. However, unfortunately, on February 4 of this year, Doherty announced that her cancer had returned, and this time it was stage four. WebMD describes stage four cancer as meaning that "the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. It's also called advanced or metastatic cancer." There are no further stages, and stage four is the final stage in the process of grading.
Despite reports of feuds with past colleagues, and a reported "bad girl" image, Shannen's friends and former co-stars have expressed an outpouring of love and support for the star, showing that celebrity friendship is real, and just how important a support system is when facing the uncertainty of a life-threatening illness, no matter who you are.
Today reported that one of the first people to come out in a show of support for Doherty was long time friend Sarah Michelle Gellar. Gellar shared a picture of herself and Doherty smiling together, to her 3 million Instagram followers, with the caption "Life is tough... but you are tougher." Many comments were also from other celebrities, as well as fans, leaving heart and praying emojis.
Alyssa Milano, who was one of Doherty's co-stars in Charmed, also chose Instagram as the public outlet for her support. She shared a picture of just Doherty on her own, along with the caption "Holding you tight in my heart, @theshando 🙏." The two of them were original cast members of the hit show, and Doherty was even a bridesmaid at Milano's wedding to musician Cinjuna Tate, which is how strong their friendship is.
Film News continued to report that plenty of other stars had been publicly commenting on Doherty's own Instagram account, to offer continued messages of support. It was said that after she shared a picture of Charlie Brown saying to Snoopy, "We only live once Snoopy", and Snoopy replying "Wrong! We only die once. We live every day," long time friend from the days of Beverly Hills 90210 Tori Spelling, commented "Sending lots of love, support, and animal vibes to make you smile xoxo." Also currently documenting her own battle with Multiple Sclerosis, Selma Blair added "You are lighting up the path. You are loved."
There had been a buzz online, that Doherty's other close friend and Charmed co-star, Holly Marie Combs, was coming under fire for not publicly displaying her support for her friend. However, Combs was quick to hit back at the trolling she was receiving online, by taking to Twitter to say "Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t use social media to send messages to people I’ve known for 30 years. You can. But I don’t."
This appears incredibly well played by Combs, as it would be more natural to have a private phone call or text message to a good friend going through something so challenging. Not everything needs to be played out on social media, and Holly has made it clear that is very much supporting her friend, just in a quiet way, away from the spotlight. Combs followed up her Twitter post, by sharing an adorable cat video, with the caption "This. Cuz Twitter is filled with idiots."
Other former co-stars Rose McGowan, and Brian Austin Green, have also said to be showing their support to their long time friend. Doherty has stated that she is going to try her best to carry on living her best life, throughout treatment, and with the remaining time that she has. Although nothing is known yet about her prognosis, she has stated that she is dying, because a stage four diagnosis indicates no cure, and is therefore terminal. However, Healthline reports that an estimated 27 percent of people in the United States live at least 5 years after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
Further survival rates depend on where cancer has spread to and working with the right team of oncologists who strive to get the best treatment plan. Doherty is going to need plenty of support, while she begins to undergo further treatments, and come to terms with the implications of her diagnosis. From the love and solidarity that she is being shown from co-stars old and new, she has the best support system, to help her do this.