Shannen Doherty Was Optimistic About Beating Cancer In Final Post Before Death: 'I Feel Hopeful'

Hollywood star Shannen Dohertyhas passed away after her long battle with breast cancer. The news of the actress's death was confirmed by her long-time publicist, who stated that Doherty was surrounded by her loved ones during her final moments.

On Instagram, Doherty's final post was a video from her podcast, in which she talked about her cancer battle and how she was "hopeful" about beating the deadly disease.

Shannen Doherty has been very candid about her struggles with cancer and once shared a heartbreaking video of her undergoing a frightening operation to remove a brain tumor.

Prior to her passing, Doherty's final post on Instagram showed how optimistic she was about surviving cancer.

The actress shared a video clip on June 25 from an episode of her "Let's Be Clear" podcast, where she talked about her chemotherapy and how it has been "scary" not knowing when it would end.

"I have no idea how long I'm going to be on the chemo for," Doherty said. "I have no idea if it's going to be three months or if it's going to be six months or if we're going to, you know, if, after three months, it's not working if we are going to change again. Like, I don't really [know]. That's not something that I can predict. It's not something my doctors can predict, and it's scary. It's like a big wake-up call."

Doherty continued, "At the same time, I've got to say, there is some positivity there, and the positivity is that because [the] molecular structure of my cancer cells changed recently, it means that there's a lot more protocols for me to try. So you know, for the first time, in a couple of months probably, I feel hopeful because there are so many more protocols now. Whereas, before, I was hopeful, but I was still getting prepared."

Doherty passed away at the age of 53 after a prolonged battle with cancer. In a statement to People magazine on Sunday, July 14, her long-time publicist Leslie Sloane announced, "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease."

Sloane added: "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace."

Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and in an interview with the outlet, she shared her struggles with the illness.

"I definitely have days where I say, 'Why me?'" she revealed. "And then I go, well, 'Why not me? Who else? Who else besides me deserves this?' None of us do."

In 2017, during an appearance on "Good Morning America," Doherty revealed that her breast cancer had returned after a period of remission.

"It's going to come out soon that I'm stage 4. So my cancer came back, and that's why I'm here." She said. "I don't think I've fully processed it. It's a bitter pill to swallow in many ways."

Following the announcement of Doherty's passing, fans took to X to honor the late actress.

One fan wrote: "Even though I don't keep up with celebrity news, I knew about Shannon Doherty's courageous battle. She faced unimaginable fear with incredible bravery. Her strength and resilience were truly inspiring. May she rest in peace."

Another commented: "Such a tremendous loss for my generation!! It's hard to believe we've now lost two from 90210. She was a warrior until the end. God rest her soul."

"I first saw Shannen on 'Little House on the Prairie' when she was young. I'll always remember her as Brenda from 'Beverly Hills 90210' & then as Prue from 'Charmed.' She was a brave & strong soul who had a big heart. You'll be missed dearly. Give Luke a hug for me. RIP." another fan shared.

"Genuinely saddened over this news. Charmed is one of my favorite TV shows and a comfort watch as/when needed. Will think of her always. May she rest in peace," added another fan.

Doherty first gained fame as Brenda Walsh on the original "Beverly Hills, 90210," which debuted in October 1990. After the fourth season in 1994, she left the show but later made several guest appearances on the 2008 reboot, "90210."

Following her success in "Beverly Hills," Doherty starred as Prue Halliwell in Charmed, playing the eldest of three witch sisters. In addition to acting in the series, she directed several episodes. She exited the show at the end of its third season in 2001.

Doherty maintained a steady career, including ventures into reality television with the short-lived "Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty" and as a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars."

In 2019, Doherty returned to the TV reboot of "Beverly Hills, 90210," reprising her role as an adult version of the character that launched her to fame.

Despite knowing her diagnosis, Doherty chose to keep it a secret from the cast of "Beverly Hills, 90210," following the sudden death of her co-star, Luke Perry, in March 2019 at age 52.

"It's so weird for me to be diagnosed and then somebody who was, you know, seemingly healthy to go first," she shared on GMA. "It was really shocking."

Doherty said that joining the TV reboot, which aired last year on Fox, was the "least I could do" to honor Perry while also demonstrating her ability to work despite her health challenges.

"One of the reasons, along with Luke, that I did 90210 and didn't really tell anybody was because I thought people can look at that [as] people with stage 4 can work too," she explained.

Rest in peace, Shannen Doherty.