Shannen Doherty Shares Heartbreaking Cancer Update: 'My Fear Is Obvious'

Actress Shannen Doherty is giving fans a heartbreaking update about her struggle with cancer.

Earlier this year, her CT scan showed brain metastases, which can form one or more tumors in the brain. Although metastatic brain cancer is usually terminal, the 52-year-old actress began radiation treatment.

On Tuesday night, she took to Instagram to share a heartbreaking look at what cancer can look like with her 1.9 million Instagram followers.

The Instagram video that Doherty shared on Tuesday night features her getting emotional as she begins treatment. Her followers can actually see the tears in her eyes as she shares a candid look at what life can look like for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer.

In the caption, she wrote, "January 12, 2023. On January 5th, my ct scan showed Mets in my brain. Yesterdays video was showing the process of getting fitted for the mask which you wear during radiation to your brain. January 12, the first round of radiation took place."

"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." she added. "But that fear…. The turmoil….. the timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like."

Many fans commented on the video to show their support and praised her for her bravery in sharing such a candid look at her struggles. “Thank you for sharing, you are a powerhouse! Must be incredibly scary! Hope you can feel or the strength and love the fans send you,” one fan commented.

“We love you so much Shannen. We're with you. Unending support for you, as you continue to share your journey. I wish I could personally take away the fear, and whatever pain you experience at times. Much love to you,” another follower wrote.

“You are one brave strong woman. Devastated your husband betrayed you, keep fighting your cancer. Sending love and best wishes your way,” a third fan chimed in, referring to her recent divorce.

Just last month, the 52-year-old actress filed for divorce after eleven years of marriage. "Divorce is the last thing Shannen wanted," Doherty's rep, Leslie Sloane, tells PEOPLE in a statement. "Unfortunately, she felt she was left with no other option."

Sloane also alleged that Iswarienko's agent was "intimately involved" with their divorce, prompting speculation about infidelity. The couple separated in January, around the time this video was taken. According to the court documents, “irreconcilable differences” was listed as the reason for their split.

Although the two do not share any children, Doherty is requesting spousal support and asking it not to be awarded to him. Shortly before the news broke that the couple was going their separate ways, the “Charmed” alum took to Instagram to share a cryptic statement.

"The only people who deserve to be in your life are the ones who treat you with love, kindness, and total respect," she wrote at the time, also sharing the message to her Instagram Story.

Doherty was previously married to Ashley Hamilton from 1993 to 1994 and to Rick Salomon from 2002 to 2003. Doherty and Iswarienko tied the knot in October 2011, over ten years ago.

A year before they tied the knot, Doherty told PEOPLE that she wasn’t taking her third marriage “lightly,” explaining, "Marriage to me is such a gigantic commitment that it's not something I'd ever go into lightly anymore.”

The actress has also struggled with stage 4 breast cancer over the past few years. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She entered remission in 2017 but discovered that she had stage 4 cancer in 2020.

Doherty now says that she feels "a responsibility" to shatter misconceptions around cancer during a virtual panel for her Lifetime movie "List of a Lifetime."

"I feel like I have a responsibility in my more public life, which I separate from my acting life ... to talk about cancer and perhaps educate people more and let people know that people with stage 4 are very much alive and very active," she said.