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Shannen Doherty’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month Instagram Is Fearless and Inspiring

Tehrene Firman

October 16, 2017

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Photo: Instagram/@theshando

Shannen Doherty has been through a lot over the past couple years: The former Charmed and Beverly Hills, 90210 star first opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015, and after undergoing treatment, she's been in remission since April. But that doesn't mean her emotions about the experience are any less strong.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Doherty posted a photo on Instagram of herself after she had started chemotherapy, complete with clumps of hair in hand and tears in her eyes.

Breast Cancer Awareness month. This image is so personal to me. I had started chemo. Was using a cold cap in hope to not lose my hair. End result was clumps in my hands. I was sick, felt like I was losing myself. Gained people and lost people. Got weak and got strong. Felt ugly and yet more beautiful inside than I had ever felt before. I remember this like it was yesterday, like it was a minute ago. Cancer has so many phases. Shock, denial, acceptance, anger, resentment, rebellion, fear, appreciation, beauty. Remission. Even then, the phases keep coming. Cancer is with you forever. Those who have experienced it know that even after you’ve kicked it’s ass, it still impacts you, in good ways and bad. You still go thru the roller coaster of emotions. You still need support and love. And you can still grasp life and live, live live. #cancer #cancerslayer

A post shared by ShannenDoherty (@theshando) on Oct 12, 2017 at 9:23am PDT

In the post, Doherty reflected on the many emotions that come with cancer—and they don't magically end because you're in remission.

"Cancer has so many phases. Shock, denial, acceptance, anger, resentment, rebellion, fear, appreciation, beauty. Remission. Even then, the phases keep coming," she wrote. "Cancer is with you forever. Those who have experienced it know that even after you’ve kicked its ass, it still impacts you, in good ways and bad. You still go through the roller coaster of emotions. You still need support and love. And you can still grasp life and live, live live."

"Cancer has so many phases. Shock, denial, acceptance, anger, resentment, rebellion, fear, appreciation, beauty. Remission. Even then, the phases keep coming. Cancer is with you forever," Doherty wrote.

Especially considering the National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that one in eight US women will be diagnosed in her lifetime, so many are affected by the disease—whether via a loved one or a personal battle.

Doherty's openness is showing other women it's okay to be vulnerable. And when you speak out and let others in, you're likely to get a whole lot of support in return.

Here's everything you should know about breast cancer. And if you want to feel inspired, one woman shares her story of getting diagnosed with the disease at age 30.