Shannen DohertyThe actress, known for her roles in “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Charmed,” recently opened up about her hesitation to start dating again while battling stage 4 cancer. Speaking candidly with Kelly Ripa on the “Let's Talk Off Camera” podcast, she aired her concerns. About starting a new relationship while dealing with health issues.
Doherty admitted, “Look, in my opinion, it's hard for someone like me to date someone who I know might be past due,” and shared her fears about how men would perceive her given her cancer diagnosis, saying, “It's hard to date someone who I know might be past due.”
The 53-year-old actress explained that she believes men have a harder time than women when it comes to dealing with “death and illness.” She expressed fears that future partners might not want to be with her because of her illness, saying, “I think I'm a very hard person to sell.”
Doherty also revealed concerns about her appearance, particularly the scars from her surgery. She expressed feeling self-conscious about her scars and the effect they have on her confidence and relationships. She explained: “It's a companionship thing more than anything. I feel self-conscious anyway because I have so many scars from surgery and I don't know how to explain, 'No, those aren't from childbirth, they're from reconstructive surgery.'”
The surgery made her “very anxious” about dating.
The actress also revealed that the surgeries she underwent after her cancer diagnosis left her “very anxious.” She spoke about the mental toll those surgeries took on her self-confidence and how it affected her perception of herself.
Doherty's vulnerability and honesty shine a light on the emotional challenges she faces as she navigates her health and personal life, and her candid discussion of the complexities of dating and self-image in the face of illness is a reminder of the human experience and the impact such situations can have on relationships.
Despite Doherty's hardships, her resilience and willingness to share her story has resonated with many facing similar challenges, and her story has become a source of inspiration and encouragement for those dealing with health issues in search of companionship and connection.
