Sarah Michelle Gellar Says Life Is Tough as She Discusses Shannen Doherty's Stage 4 Cancer Battle

In a recent interview, Sarah Michelle Gellar discussed Shannen Doherty's battle with stage IV cancer, explaining that her good friend is stronger than anybody knows.

"This girl has had this diagnosis — she shot an entire season of a television show," Gellar told Us Weekly on February 11. "I think people have to remember that life is tough, but Shannen's a lot tougher."

Gellar and Doherty have been companions since the late 1990s when at the same time, they both starred on a series.

AN EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGED HER

"Cancer is not something that defines her," Gellar added. "It's an experience that's certainly changed her — and changed all of us."

Gellar, who made her acting debut in the 1983 made-for-television film "An Invasion of Privacy," continued that she believes cancer made the world see the side of Doherty that she has constantly known.

Doherty revealed her cancer had returned earlier this month after going into remission in 2017, as reported by PEOPLE.

THE REASON SHE HID HER DIAGNOSIS

In an interview with ABC's Amy Robach, she explained why she didn't immediately inform the public about her cancer diagnosis.

According to the acclaimed actress, she doesn't want people to treat her any "differently than a healthy person."

Doherty believed that she will discover her footing and that she will dig deep for the inner strength she needs to face everything.

AN UNDERSTATEMENT

Doherty learned her cancer returned after she began "feeling some very odd aches," prompting her to call oncologist.

In her recent Instagram post, Doherty said that to say she is stressed in the wake of her cancer diagnosis would be "an understatement."

Alongside a photograph of herself riding a horse, the actress wrote that she thanks everybody for the "love, prayers and support."

Doherty believed that she will discover her "footing" and that she will dig deep for the inner strength she needs to face everything.

The actress prayed that she does it all with dignity and grace and that she has so much to say and share. She concluded her post, writing "For now... please know how much you all help lift me."

In March 2015, Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in April 2017, she announced that her cancer was in remission.

Doherty earned worldwide popularity for her breakout role as Brenda Walsh in the hit television series "Beverly Hills, 90210" in 1990.