Shannen Doherty has said that her breast cancer diagnosis has actually changed her life "for the better". The brave Charmed star spoke about her ongoing battle with the disease while being honoured at the American Concert Society's annual gala in LA on Saturday, and shared her belief that some good had come out of her ordeal.
"I'm feeling ridiculously lucky and very blessed," she told the Press Association. "Cancer has changed my life for the better. It's made me a better human being. It stripped away all of the walls and barriers."
Shannen Doherty pictured with her Courage Award
She continued: "It exposes any lie in your life whatsoever. It exposes who's not really there for you and who really is there for you. It's this brilliant thing where you just look around and think, 'Oh my god, this person is amazing, they're showing up for me in a way I never expected.'
"It's this amazing thing where you look at people and realise their worth and what good hearts they have because they're not running. That's what cancer does. It strips everything where everyone, including you, is laid bare."
The star - seated next to husband Kurt Iswarienko - was visibly moved at the ceremony
One such person is longtime friend Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was there to present Shannen with her Courage Award on the night. "She has always been a courageous person but over the last year she has become a one-woman army," the 39-year-old told the audience. "Fearless yet full of heart, crushing cancer like a slayer – takes one to know one!
"In an age when celebrities are afraid to walk out of their house without makeup, Shannen is proudly displaying her shaved head, telling the world, 'If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.'"
Shannen was presented with her award by longtime friend Sarah Michelle Gellar
Shannen, 45, later expressed her gratitude to Sarah Michelle is a sweet post on Instagram. "@sarahmgellar thank you. Your eloquence, class, integrity, intelligence and heart was on full display last night with your speech," she wrote alongside a photo of the pair together.
"You made us laugh, cry and everything in between. We've been friends for a long time and your friendship has always meant the world to me. I love you #courage."