Sarah Michelle Gellar Gives Health Update On Shannen Doherty

Sarah Michelle Gellar has provided an update on friend Shannen Doherty's condition, calling her a real-life superhero.

“She’s incredible. When they say a warrior, she is a warrior. She lives every day and she’s fighting. There are ups and downs and there are days that are harder than others and there are some days that are easy, but she’s doing great.”

The two have been friends since the late 1990s, when they starred on WB shows at the same time. Shannen originall battled breast cancer between March 2015 and 2017. She revealed in February 2020, the illness had returned.

“It’s going to come out in a matter of days or a week that — I’m stage IV. So my cancer came back. And that’s why I’m here. I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways.”

She noted her diagnosis came about four months before the death of Luke Perry, who passed away in February 2019 from a massive ischemic stroke.

Despite the return, Shannen noted it was important she shoot the 90210 reboot 'BH90210,' to honour Luke.

“It’s so weird for me to be diagnosed and then somebody who was, you know, seemingly healthy to go first. It was really, like, shocking. And the least I could do to honor him was to do [the reboot]. … 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 [and see] other people with stage IV can work too.’ Like, you know, our life doesn’t end the minute we get that diagnosis. We still have some living to do.”

Days after she announced the diagnosis, Sarah posted on social media, showing love and support.

"Life is tough… but you are tougher."

She then opened up about Shannen's health battle weeks later.

"This girl has had this diagnosis — she shot an entire season of a television show. She looked beautiful. She worked 16-hour days. I think people have to remember that life is tough, but Shannen’s a lot tougher.”

She noted cancer is not something that “defines” Shannen, even if the experience has “changed” her.

“She’s a tough chick on the outside, but she’s not necessarily on the inside. And now I think people know that. So just remember that she’s been dealing with this for a long time and I think it’s unfortunate how in this world we’re forced to be able to say truths that maybe we’re not ready for other people, that we’re still digesting ourselves.”

In June, Shannen revealed the cancer had spread to her brain, and shared a video of herself prepping for surgery.

"January 16, 2023. Surgery. 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 looks like.”