Shannen Doherty has announced that cancer has spread to her brain, with her having shared the news alongside footage of her undergoing radiation therapy this year.
The actor, 52, first announced that she had breast cancer in 2015 and was later said to have gone into remission, before it was revealed that it had returned in 2019, with her said to have been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.
She has shared an update with fans this week, announcing that it has spread to her brain and that she began radiation therapy - also known as radiotherapy - earlier this year.
Shannen posted an emotional video on Instagram yesterday documenting the experience, in which she was seen with tears in her eyes whilst at her first radiation session.
It comes after Shannen shared a clip earlier this week, dated to January 9, which appeared to show her being fitted for a mask that can be used in the cancer treatment.
According to Cancer Research UK, masks are used to keep the head still, making sure that radiation therapy is "directed at the cancer" and that it is "as accurate as possible".
Shannen - best known for roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed - was wearing a mask in her latest video, which is said to show her undergoing the treatment on January 12.
She wrote: "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".
Mayo Clinic states that 'brain metastases' occurs when cancer cells spread from their original site to the brain, adding that breast cancer is among the types of cancer 'mostly likely' to cause this.
Shannen suggested that the latest video was taken on January 12, writing about that date: "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. But that fear ... the turmoil ... the timing of it all ... this is what cancer can look like".
The post has prompted supportive messages from some of her followers on the platform, including from her pal Sarah Michelle Gellar who responded: "You are a warrior".
Selma Blair, another of her pals, also reacted to the more recent video, with her writing in the comments section of the post: "This is a lot. This is a lot to take on, still again."
She continued in her response: "And I am wishing for all the wise peace you have learned to find you in the terror moments. To know we are holding you. Love. All love".
