In Memoriam: Inside Shannen Doherty's Cancer Battle and Cause Of Death

Diagnosis (February 2015)
In 2015, Shannen Doherty received her first cancer diagnosis. She filed a lawsuit against her former management company, Tanner Mainstain, alleging that a lapse in her health insurance coverage led to a delay in detecting her cancer.

According to Doherty, the management company failed to pay her insurance premium, resulting in a lapse that prevented her from receiving regular checkups. This delay allowed the cancer to spread undetected until she re-enrolled with SAG Insurance in 2015 and received her breast cancer diagnosis. Doherty underwent a single mastectomy in May 2015 and reached a settlement with her former managers in August 2016.

Shannen Doherty's Hair Loss Journey (July 2016)

Doherty faced one of her toughest moments: shaving her head. Known for her iconic long dark locks since her Brenda Walsh days, losing her hair was deeply emotional. With support from loved ones, she turned this heart-wrenching experience into an inspiring moment, sharing photos of herself shaving her head.

"After my second treatment, my hair was really matted, like dreadlocks. I tried to brush it out, but it just fell out," Doherty recalled. "I remember holding clumps of my hair, crying to my mom, 'My hair, my hair!'"

"It was shedding and driving me crazy," she continued. "I said, 'Just grab the kitchen scissors.' My mom hesitated, but I insisted. She cut it into a cute bob, but it kept falling out."

Shannen Doherty's Cancer Spreads (August 2016)

In August, just before settling her lawsuit with her ex-manager, Shannen Doherty revealed to 'ET' that her breast cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

"I had breast cancer that spread to the lymph nodes, and from one of my surgeries, we discovered that some cancer cells might have gone out of the lymph nodes," Doherty explained. "So, we're doing chemo now, and after that, I'll undergo radiation."

By September, her doctor updated that she was nearing the end of her chemotherapy treatment, which began in July.

Doherty Announces Remission (April 2017)

The actress took to Instagram to announce her remission from breast cancer, describing it as a pivotal moment in her journey.

"Moments. They happen. Today was and is a moment," Doherty shared. "What does remission mean? I heard that word and have no idea how to react. Good news? YES. Overwhelming? YES."

"Now more waiting. As every single one of my fellow cancer family knows, the next five years is crucial. Reoccurrences happen all the time. Many of you have shared that very story with me," she added. "So with a heart that is certainly lighter, I wait."

Doherty's Reconstructive Surgery Journey (May 2018)

Doherty underwent reconstructive surgery for a mastectomy she had more than two years earlier, as she detailed at a Stand Up to Cancer event in Santa Monica, California.

"I'm having a little bit of a hard time getting [the weight] off. It was for my particular surgery that I chose," she explained. "I didn't have any extra skin, so I had to gain weight to stretch the skin for my surgery. [The plastic surgeon] said seven pounds would be good, but then I've always kind of been an overachiever. And I've always really wanted to please the teacher, so I went 10. I was like, 'OK, you need seven? I'll give you 10. I'll be that girl for you.' It was definitely interesting walking around like that, and I'm slowly getting it off. But listen, in the long run, what's a little extra weight compared to my health and having great reconstruction."

Shannen Doherty's Stage 4 Cancer Revelation (February 2020)

The actress made headlines when court documents revealed her declaration in a lawsuit against State Farm Insurance: "Plaintiff Shannen Doherty is dying of stage 4 terminal cancer."

Doherty explained to 'ET' that she chose to disclose her condition because the insurance company was going to reveal it anyway. The court documents also detailed the dispute over insurance coverage for repairs to her home after the Woolsey fire in 2018.

A Candid Reflection on Cancer (October 2021)

"For breast cancer awareness month, I’d like to share more of my own personal journey from my first diagnosis to my second," Doherty captioned her post, sharing candid photos of her bald head and a bloody nose. "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. I hope I encourage people to get mammograms, to get regular checkups, to cut thru the fear and face whatever might be in front of you."

She added, "I had many nose bleeds from the chemo. Not sure if any of you experienced this. I also was beyond tired. I cheered myself up by putting on [Cookie Monster] funny pajamas that my friend Kristy gave me. Did they actually cheer me up? Yes!! Lol. I looked ridiculous and in that ridiculousness, I was able to laugh at myself."

"Finding humor helped get me thru what seemed impossible," Doherty continued. "I hope we all find humor in the impossible."

Challenging SAG-AFTRA Healthcare Rules (March 2023)

In a direct Instagram appeal to SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, Doherty criticized the organization's healthcare criteria, advocating for changes that would better support members unable to work due to health reasons. Despite her concerns, a spokesperson from the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan emphasized their commitment to extending coverage to eligible participants during health-related work interruptions.

Cancer Spreads to Her Brain (June 2023)

In a poignant update, Doherty revealed her stage 4 breast cancer had reached her brain. She shared her fear during radiation treatment, showing the emotional toll in a video from January 2023. Despite her claustrophobia and life's challenges, she expressed gratitude for her doctors and technicians at Cedar Sinai.

Cancer Spreads to Bones (November 2023)

In a candid interview with People, Doherty reflected on life's profound questions upon learning her cancer had spread to her bones. She emphasized the importance of finding purpose amid adversity and challenged societal assumptions about living with stage 4 cancer. Despite her health challenges, she remains determined, launching a memoir-style podcast, "Let's Be Clear," to share her journey and insights with listeners.