Shannen Doherty, renowned for her roles in “Charmed” and “Beverly Hills, 90210,” recently shared a positive health update in her ongoing battle against stage four breast cancer, which has also spread to her brain and bones.
“After four treatments, we didn’t really see a difference, and everybody wanted me to switch, and I just was like: ‘We’re gonna keep going with this and see.’”
In her podcast, Ms. Doherty noted when she saw a change in the treatment.
“After the sixth, seventh treatment we really saw it breaking down the blood-brain barrier. Do I call that a miracle? Yeah. For me, that happens to be a miracle right now. That I sort of rolled the dice and said, ‘Let’s keep going.’”
Blood-Brain Barrier
Medical experts, including board-certified neurologist Dr. Leah Croll, highlighted the difficulty in treating brain tumors due to the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer within blood vessels in the brain crucial for maintaining its function, says the Cleveland Clinic.
Cancer Battle
Ms. Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and entered remission in 2017 after undergoing a unilateral mastectomy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.In 2020, the cancer returned, and she said it had spread to her brain, leading to a surgical procedure and radiation. Still, the cancer spread to her bones, prompting ongoing treatment and the exploration of clinical trials.
Ms. Doherty initiated her podcast, “Let’s Be Clear,” as a live memoir podcast, providing insights into her cancer journey. Despite the challenges, she says she remains hopeful and embraces each day positively, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and the need to focus on the present.
“Hope is always there. I can die today, I can die in 20 years, I don’t know. I can die walking outside of my house and a tree falling on me or a bus hitting me or whatever. Or I can die of cancer.”
Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Doctors recommend regular breast cancer screenings, maintaining that early detection of breast cancer and access to advanced cancer treatments are critical strategies in reducing breast cancer-related mortality.For women aged 40 to 44, it’s suggested to consider a mammogram every year. Women between 45 and 54 are recommended to have a mammogram every year. Women aged 55 and older can switch to having a mammogram every two years or keep one yearly. Screening should continue if the woman is healthy and expected to live for at least 10 more years. Clinical breast exams are not advised for breast cancer screening in average-risk women, regardless of age.
For women at high risk due to certain factors, it’s advised to have a breast MRI and mammogram every year, starting at age 30. This applies to women with a lifetime risk of breast cancer over 20 percent to 25 percent, based on family history or specific conditions.
High-risk factors include a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, a first-degree relative with such a mutation, chest radiation before age 30, or certain syndromes.
However, the American Cancer Society doesn’t recommend MRI screening for women with a lifetime risk below 15 percent. For those with a higher risk based on factors like a personal history of breast cancer or dense breasts, the evidence isn’t clear on yearly MRI screening.
If used, MRI should complement, not replace, a mammogram, as it may miss some cancers that a mammogram could detect. Decisions about MRI and mammogram screenings for high-risk women starting at age 30 should be made collaboratively with healthcare providers, considering individual circumstances and preferences and ensuring ongoing health assessments.
