For many people, the prospect of cancer is a terrifying thing. A diagnosis they live in fear of receiving leads them to imagine the worst-case scenario. For others, it is a reality they are living with. Not many people truly understand what it’s like unless you have had a loved one who underwent cancer treatment. Thank to Shannen Doherty and her bravery in sharing such a raw and honest view of her cancer experience, more people can understand the grueling process that the treatments put you through.

Last year in October (2021), Shannen started posting her journey with breast cancer on her Instagram page. This wasn’t something she had done before. At least, not in detail. “Even though her cancer journey had started in 2015, back then, her breast cancer went into remission, only for it to return in 2020 as stage four breast cancer. So, in honor of breast cancer awareness month, she decided to share her personal journey. With all the not-so-pretty aspects included. “For breast cancer awareness month, I’d like to share more of my own personal journey from my first diagnosis to my second,” she wrote, in part. “Is it all pretty? NO but it’s truthful and my hope in sharing is that we all become more educated, more familiar with what cancer looks like.”

“That Fear…. The Turmoil….. The Timing of it All….”

Followers and non followers alike are welcome to join in on Shannen Doherty’s cancer treatment journey. On her Instagram page, she made a post announcing the first round of radiation treatment. Her journey had finally begun. However, she first showed the process of getting a mask fitted for the CT scans to wear while receiving radiation to the brain. “January 12, 2023. 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,” she wrote in the caption of the post.

Then, she opened up about her emotional trauma she endured while this process took place. Shannen admitted that she is claustrophobic, which means she does not like small spaces. “January 12, the first round of radiation took place,” she wrote. “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.

Next, Shannen Doherty posted a video of herself pre-surgery. She was going in for a tumor removal and a biopsy. “January 16, 2023. Surgery,” she wrote. “I had a tumor in my head they wanted to remove and also biopsy. I am clearly trying to be brave but I am petrified. The fear was overwhelming to me. Scared of all possible bad outcomes, worried about leaving my mom and how that would impact her. Worried that I would come out of surgery not me anymore. This is what cancer can look like.”