Shannen Doherty's doctor called the late “Charmed” actress an “incredible warrior” who died Saturday after a long battle with cancer.
Oncologist Dr. Lawrence D. Pirro said in an interview with People magazine published Tuesday that the 53-year-old actress “loved life and had no intention of quitting,” but that her battle with cancer “has become much more difficult in recent weeks.”
Pirro added that the former “Beverly Hills 90210” star, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, was a highly intelligent person who “was a very active participant in her entire health journey.”
“In her mind, she didn't want to consider any other option than, 'We've beaten this disease and we're working on life,'” Piro said. “We didn't really talk about what that meant to her in terms of extending her life, because that wasn't how she operated. She wanted to live each day as if it was the beginning of a new chapter for her, not as if it was her last.”
But as Doherty's health deteriorated, Pirro said in their final conversation that Doherty was “beginning to realize” this.
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“The conversation was about love and support and compassion and still fighting,” he said. “Even though she was feeling a little bit worse, she wanted to continue treatment and keep fighting, and we did.”
Shannen Doherty,'Beverly Hills 90210' star dies at 53 after battling cancer
Despite Dougherty's “limited options,” continuing to fight “was not even up for discussion,” Piro said. “Shanann didn't live her life like that. She was an incredible fighter in everything she did.”
He said her final moments were filled with compassion and love.
“In her final hours, she was sleeping in a very comfortable place, transitioning and surrounded by very close friends,” Pirro told the outlet. “The room was surrounded by a select group of friends who gave her so much care and support. It was solemn and sad, but also beautiful and full of love. The hardest part about this is that she loved life and she wasn't ready to leave.”
Shannen DohertyFormer co-stars from “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Charmed” honored
Doherty praised Pirro in 2016, posting on Instagram that she and the president and CEO of Los Angeles' Angeles Clinic and Research Institute had a “great relationship and mutual respect.” At the time, Doherty said it was important for her to find a “dream team” that would listen to her concerns and not “settle.”
That dream team also included oncologist Amin Mirhadi, MD, who invited both doctors onto his podcast, “Let's Be Clear,” earlier this year.
Doherty has been open about her health. In 2016, she revealed to USA Today that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. For a while, Doherty appeared to be cured. After having a single mastectomy that same year, she completed radiation and chemotherapy in February 2017, and announced she was in remission two months later.
Shannen Doherty,Her divorce from ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko was reportedly finalized the day before her death.
Doherty then revealed in February 2020 that her breast cancer had spread to stage 4. In June 2023, she announced on Instagram that she was undergoing radiation treatment after a CT scan she had undergone a few months earlier revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain.
In November, she revealed in a People magazine cover story that the cancer had spread to her bones.
Doherty's death was confirmed Sunday in a statement sent to USA Today by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, after People magazine reported the actress' passing. On Saturday, the actress “lost her battle with cancer after a long battle,” Sloane confirmed.
In a statement, Sloane said Doherty “died surrounded by her loving family and her beloved dog, Bowie.”
The actress starred as Prue Halliwell, one of two sisters with magical powers, in the TV show “Charmed,” and also appeared in the TV show “Little House on the Prairie” and the film comedies “Mallrats” and “Heathers.”
She got her big break playing high schooler Brenda Walsh in the Fox teen soap opera 90210.
Contributors: Brendan Morrow and Erin Jensen
