Shannen Doherty has made her first public appearance since competing chemotherapy last week. The 45-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, was in high spirits as she hosted a gala event in LA on Saturday, stepping out in a chic black dress and with her hair fully regrown following her gruelling cancer treatment. The star was attending the Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation's first Gratitude Gala, along with her husband of five years, Kurt Iswarienko, and she told press she was feeling positive about the future.
Shannen Doherty at the gala with Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation founder Marc Ching
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"I feel great. I mean, I feel good. I'm super positive, I'm happy with where I am at right now," the former Beverly Hills 90210 star said to Us Weekly. "Cancer, for me, as hard as it is has been a blessing. It has changed who I am as a human being forever. It was altered my life in ways I can't even speak of." Shannen also said that her battle with cancer had inspired her to give back. "To just infuse all of that positive energy that I have behind me from my cancer family out there that support me, and for everybody who is down with the 'Cancer Slayer', they're now here," she explained. "I just feel so blessed and so lucky in my life."
The star pictured on her first day of radiation treatment
Shannen first revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in August 2015, and has been candid about sharing her journey with fans – including sharing photos of the moment she shaved her head, and her first day of radiation. Last week she took to Instagram to reveal she had completed her treatment. "Now that I'm done with chemo and radiation, the waiting game is here. Waiting for tests. Waiting to see if I'm clear or not. Waiting for reconstruction. Waiting," she wrote. "I think when one gets cancer, they are always waiting to a certain extent. To those who know… I'm waiting with you. #cancerslayer."