Shannen Doherty is focused on her cancer journey while considering the future.
The 52-year-old and her guest, oncologist Dr. Lawrence Piro, discussed the recent developments in cancer treatments and Doherty’s optimism that future innovations will enable her to continue living a full life for many years during the most recent episode of her Let’s Be Clear podcast.
“I always say that we just need to squeeze out another three to five years, and then T-cell therapy or this will occur,” the alumnus of Beverly Hills 90210 said of the constantly evolving field of cancer research.
“In the next five years, there will be a great number of additional options,” she continued. “Thereafter, within those five years, an entirely new set of alternatives will become available; ultimately, a cure will be discovered.”
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In 2015, Doherty received her initial breast cancer diagnosis. Subsequently, she has been candid regarding her voyage. She disclosed in a November cover story for PEOPLE that the illness had metastasized to her skeletal system.
The actress and her physician underscored the significance of determining an individualized protocol for every cancer patient throughout the podcast. Dr. Piro observed that in the past, the primary objective was to either cure patients or assist them as they “limped along with it.” However, circumstances have evolved to the point where “living with cancer now comprises numerous distinct chapters.”
The physician likened the process to a horse race, as patients anxiously await the development of novel treatments.
“I always say that it’s important to think of each therapy as a horse, and in a horse race, you want to ride every horse as long as it rides, and then you ride the next horse as much as possible… you hope you make it a few laps then there’s altogether another new set of horses to ride, to make the race that much longer,” Piro added.
