After Shannen Doherty’s death from cancer: Her doctor talks about her final hours

“Beverly Hills, 90210” actress Shannen Doherty (1971-2024) lost her battle with cancer on July 13. Her doctor, who treated her for many years, oncologist Dr. Lawrence D. Piro, talks about the last hours in the life of the Hollywood star.

According to the report, Doherty “was not ready to go because she loved life.” But her battle with cancer had become “much more difficult in the last few weeks.” Her doctor also described the actress, who died at the age of 53, as an “incredible fighter.”

Shannen Doherty: Optimistic and combative until the end

Doherty, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, is described by her doctor Dr. Piro as “a very intelligent person” who was “very actively involved in her entire health journey.” “She wanted to live every day, not as if it was her last day, but as if it was the beginning of a new chapter for her,” the oncologist explains, adding: “In her mind, she didn’t want to consider any other alternative than ‘we’re about to beat this.'”

Noticeable deterioration

But then, according to her doctor, her health unfortunately began to deteriorate noticeably. Doherty was “realizing this” in their last conversation. The doctor and his famous patient spoke about “love, support and care” and about “still fighting through it.”

Doherty still wanted to continue her therapy at that point. Although there were only “limited options” for treatment, continuing the fight was “not even up for discussion,” said Dr. Piro. “Shannen did not live like that. She was an incredible fighter in everything she did.”

Shannen Doherty died surrounded by good friends

In her very last hours on earth, Doherty was in a place “where she was very comfortable, sleeping and transitioning.” She was “surrounded by a select group of friends” who “given her a lot of care and support,” said Dr. Piro. “It was dark and sad, but beautiful and loving at the same time. The hardest part was that she wasn’t ready to go because she loved life.”

Doherty praised her doctor Dr. Piro in 2016 for having “a great relationship with her oncologist, characterized by mutual respect.” “The most important thing is to find a doctor who listens to you,” she wrote on the social network at the time. She called the collaboration a “dream team.”

Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She was considered cured for a time, but in 2017 the cancer returned in stage four. In 2020, Doherty said her cancer was well advanced and was considered incurable. In June 2023, she announced that she had metastases in her brain. At the end of 2023, she announced that her bones had also been affected by the cancer.