![Shannen Doherty | Source: Getty Images | Instagram.com/theshando](https://cdn.amomama.com/055f983957951a081b82c6c3fa6d98539db2a16bbcf043a3549951db18e8b052.jpg)
Why Shannen Doherty Thought Her Procedures to Become Mom Contributed to Her Cancer
![Gaone Pule](https://imgproxy.amomama.com/v1JBnzKql3otdtQVYGT0oqBk2oy8yU0zoqoniTQeQyk/rs:fill:120:0:1/g:no/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vNzdhZDgwNzQ1NzQ4NDY3ZDZkMzM0ODJiMTA1NzZiMDUuanBlZz93aWR0aD05NjAmaGVpZ2h0PTEyODA.jpg)
- Actress Shannen Doherty, after an 11-year marriage, split from Kurt Iswarienko in January 2023 amid her battle with stage four cancer.
- Doherty, who dreamed of motherhood, believed her procedures to become a mom led to her having cancer.
- Before her tragic death, she was open to love again after finding closure post-divorce. Her resilience and optimism fuel her journey forward, supported by family and inner strength.
Shannen Doherty sadly lost her battle with stage four cancer at age 53 on July 13, 2024. Her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane announced the devastating news in a statement on July 14, 2024.
![Shannen Doherty attends the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation's 1st annual Gratitude Gala at W Hollywood on March 4, 2017 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/145ce46ccbc9728c8ad19c16c5863876eaa31a128f54aaa8a3a0ce2afa38b965.jpg)
Shannen Doherty attends the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation's 1st annual Gratitude Gala at W Hollywood on March 4, 2017 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
"It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease," revealed Sloane.
She continued, "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie." Doherty had no kids and had been married three times before she passed away. Her first two marriages were short-lived and her third with Kurt Iswarienko was her longest.
![Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko attend Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) on September 9, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/ff4fe356c7ea73d4de773f589d457ac7d46ad7381cb783b5fc72ff1c6625d5a2.jpg)
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko attend Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) on September 9, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty tied the knot with Iswarienko in October 2011 and after 11 years of marriage, she and the photographer split in January 2023. The two filed for divorce in April that year, citing irreconcilable differences.
![Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko attend the grand opening celebration of W Hoboken on April 23, 2009, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/1a9aa6d149a76f9cf792d7b2b7be752d39396375de3ec1233ec52798bfa2314f.jpg)
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko attend the grand opening celebration of W Hoboken on April 23, 2009, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Throughout their union, the actress had hailed her ex as her source of strength and support. Iswarienko stood by the television star as she battled breast cancer.
Doherty was first diagnosed with the disease in February 2015. She recalled how she informed Iswarienko of her diagnosis during this tough time.
![Kurt Iswarienko seen on March 26, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/ec2fe2500fc864ffbe86fe2fe3f92e8dc117ea3e40bb283a6282f48ebdb0f725.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko seen on March 26, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty was with her mom when the doctor told her the heartbreaking news. She was in the car and wanted to wait until she got home before she told him.
However, the "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum couldn't wait, and she called Iswarienko and informed him of her cancer diagnosis. Upon her arrival home, Iswarienko stood in the driveway, awaiting her return.
![Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko attend the premiere of "Race to Witch Mountain," 2009 | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/bbd6051686b3343e76ef8aa66d089dc2f6eafa961df727e593db9e04053a03b8.jpg)
Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko attend the premiere of "Race to Witch Mountain," 2009 | Source: Getty Images
He hugged her and told her that she was powerful, strong, and was going nowhere as they would get through the medical diagnosis together as a family.
![Shannen Doherty attends the 9th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards on October 5, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/a4aac7ebf972f35a0b6445b873bf52c4bf99319d56bd6a0f97c955ecea8b4c8d.jpg)
Shannen Doherty attends the 9th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards on October 5, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty's cancer went into remission in 2017. Unfortunately, in February 2020, she disclosed that it had returned, and this time it was stage four cancer, shattering the hope built during her preceding years of health.
The illness coming back devastated the celebrity, who was hopeful that her treatment had helped her beat cancer and that she would enjoy a long future ahead.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at the Art of Elysium 2nd Annual Heaven Gala on January 10, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/0a2c37cf15a05ad98f0452597e0b2a58c039fafce63d6de9e311991cb388fa97.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at the Art of Elysium 2nd Annual Heaven Gala on January 10, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Following her initial breast cancer diagnosis, Doherty openly expressed her longing to become a mother. She said that after chemotherapy, maybe there was a chance that she would have kids. But the then-45-year-old was realistic, pointing out her age.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend Entertainmen Weekly and Women in Film's pre-Primetime Emmy party on September 18, 2009 | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/a02c51279062ba95796467474022a40243742551103778cdabbea31c979b6c0e.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend Entertainmen Weekly and Women in Film's pre-Primetime Emmy party on September 18, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
She confessed that she and Iswarienko had spoken about children, but he had told her to focus on getting healthy, and if she were okay in the end, they would adopt. Doherty added that her ex said, "Maybe that's our destiny."
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend the GQ Gentlemen's Ball at the Edison Ballroom on October 27, 2010. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/0e0a0c99f54e168c254adbefdec3a2d5534739d5438181e5714b10ba85d48a76.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend the GQ Gentlemen's Ball at the Edison Ballroom on October 27, 2010. | Source: Getty Images
After having parted ways with Iswarienko, Doherty still dreamt of becoming a mother. "I would love nothing more than to be a mom," she opened up. She recalled her struggle with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) before her first breast cancer diagnosis.
![Shannen Doherty at the "BH90210" Press Conference on August 8, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/209094dd556ecd7b87ac4e1860a10a273fcdf1fb2178f77243082a799a2142c7.jpg)
Shannen Doherty at the "BH90210" Press Conference on August 8, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
The public figure chose to undergo IVF so that she could have kids with her husband. She speculated that the reason she got cancer was because she underwent IVF, which pumped hormones into her body and increased her chances of getting the illness.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend Hollywood Fest Honors Today's Biggest Stars on October 26, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/60b8eba9a2e563f2e442cd0109edad628b9637afa44edc0e8954cc40f0c9e72e.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend Hollywood Fest Honors Today's Biggest Stars on October 26, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
However, this was a risk she was willing to take because she didn't just want a child for herself; she wanted one for her marriage and her husband. "I wanted him to have that part of himself fulfilled as well," she added.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend Jennie Garth's 40th birthday celebration on April 19, 2012, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/54a338ab38850eb0de7b1d8af3f99ee1afb30749a1e717192baa089acf89cfdd.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend Jennie Garth's 40th birthday celebration on April 19, 2012, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty and Iswarienko met later in life, so she needed a few rounds of IVF to have children. The Hollywood star speculated that she got breast cancer from these procedures, since "a lot of other women that I knew that did IVF ended up getting breast cancer as well."
After she completed chemotherapy and her cancer entered remission, Doherty decided to forgo IVF due to her entry into menopause.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at The Weinstein Company and Realativity Media's Golden Globes after party on January 16, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/c546aa28b58c2626f2cd08d2e662e0e8c5304ff2d657fb74ed189e1e1b1fbf0a.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at The Weinstein Company and Realativity Media's Golden Globes after party on January 16, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Before passing away, the Tennessee native considered doing motherhood with a best friend or partner. She was still speculating on the idea but said any amount of time a child got with a parent was better than nothing.
Up until that point in her life, Doherty had her brother's seven kids and her best friend's children, whom she viewed as her own.
![Shannen Doherty at the FOX Summer TCA 2019 All-Star Party on August 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/c07b2863e74ffff5347e5f6920a50166d8122ae907a9b10907c0e65948881b41.jpg)
Shannen Doherty at the FOX Summer TCA 2019 All-Star Party on August 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty also opened up about her split from Iswarienko. She noted that in January 2023, her doctors told her the cancer had spread to her brain.
They said she needed surgery to remove a big tumor. This tumor would help doctors gain insight into her cancer's pathology and to find the proper protocol for treatment.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at Perez Hilton's CARN-EVIL Theatrical Freak & Funk 32nd birthday party on March 27, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/d115dd0f650dbc5072d41ec3a0a0e8b4cfe54cb34f3c0d086f5b1a168fe5e11c.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at Perez Hilton's CARN-EVIL Theatrical Freak & Funk 32nd birthday party on March 27, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty was scared as the surgery approached as she was certain that she would die or lose the ability to talk or walk. To top things off, before she had surgery to remove the brain tumor, the film star discovered her marriage was technically over, as her husband had been involved in a two-year affair.
![Shannen Doherty photographed on May 28, 2019 | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/5a000cbf1131886156edd2a891e78716c50db588f23407b541e6e1ac47f213d8.jpg)
Shannen Doherty photographed on May 28, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Yet Iswarienko still wanted to accompany her to the surgery, but she couldn't go knowing he was there. "I felt so betrayed. At the end of the day, I just felt so incredibly unloved by someone I was with for 14 years, by someone that you know I loved with all my heart," she lamented.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend the Entertainment Weekly and Women in Film pre-Emmy Party on September 17, 2009, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/b7c80ea10f10c0fc97e7245b2eae2a30fcab1197588382e8edada0a8978509eb.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty attend the Entertainment Weekly and Women in Film pre-Emmy Party on September 17, 2009, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty was glad that the people she loved, including her mother, other family members, and friends, accompanied her to the surgery. Her heart was broken, and the surgery didn't remove all the tumors in her brain, but it went well. She underwent brain radiation to remove the rest of the brain tumor.
Doherty was lucky she didn't lose any of her abilities after the medical procedure and radiation. She came out well; she lived and was happy to wake up to see her mom and other loved ones.
![Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at the A|X Armani Exchange and ELLE's Joe Zee's 'Disco Glam' soiree evening on May 25, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/610e59c7b54352dbad596c7323430622642db621473d4e4468348064dd637d54.jpg)
Kurt Iswarienko and Shannen Doherty at the A|X Armani Exchange and ELLE's Joe Zee's 'Disco Glam' soiree evening on May 25, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
After splitting with Iswarienko, Doherty said she went through periods of feeling depressed. Things were not easy or smooth for her.
It was challenging for the "Little House on the Prairie" star to find herself single in her 50s while battling stage four cancer. The period was beyond depressing, but eventually, she turned a corner.
![Shannen Doherty attends Paramount Network Launch Party on January 18, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/7e730d166e8de8d7948f468a7e6cc9dc463bf3461063a95146a62918ff748351.jpg)
Shannen Doherty attends Paramount Network Launch Party on January 18, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
A few days before Thanksgiving in 2023, Doherty revealed that she was ready to find love again. "I was not ready at all before three weeks ago," she confessed.
The brunette beauty hinted that something had happened, such as her ex telling her one thing, which made her know she had closure and could move on in a healthy manner.
![Shannen Doherty attends Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) on September 9, 2016, in Los Angeles, California Hall. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/2df09212371a9f0861d6c72396efba44b8cdfc7ba57a30abce7f52d44358d202.jpg)
Shannen Doherty attends Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) on September 9, 2016, in Los Angeles, California Hall. | Source: Getty Images
Doherty divulged that she had a male best friend, whom she joked with about how they were married. Still, she did not know if her love would come from that or if she would stumble upon someone and have an instant connection.
![Shannen Doherty attends Baby2Baby Gala on November 14, 2015, in Culver City, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/1c86152188c747a8788574b71494e5f98522698c262e218684a4c0a46772cda4.jpg)
Shannen Doherty attends Baby2Baby Gala on November 14, 2015, in Culver City, California. | Source: Getty Images
She was open to all possibilities, a state that she wasn't in before. The celebrity understood that she had to love herself and reckon with the past before she could move forward.
"I don't think I'm going to be single forever ... I'm pretty sure I'll meet somebody — hopefully soon," she proclaimed.
![Shannen Doherty during UPN 2005/2006 UpFront - Arrivals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2005, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/a0f1e53cba98b3b2c34dba081bdcaaf9a2fa57c66d0c81578df01c1f3d4ed9b0.jpg)
Shannen Doherty during UPN 2005/2006 UpFront - Arrivals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2005, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the difficulties Doherty faced in life, she was optimistic about the future. The actress found the will to steer on from her inner strength and the support she received from her family and loved ones.
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