In some saddening news, it was revealed on Wednesday that former Charmed actress Shannen Doherty has breast cancer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the diagnosis was shared in Los Angeles Superior Court during a lawsuit the 44-year-old brought against the business management firm Tanner Mainstain. Doherty later released a statement to People confirming that she is currently battling breast cancer. Update: Mainstain told People in a statement: "Tanner Mainstain is saddened to learn that Ms. Doherty is suffering from cancer and wishes her a full recovery. However, the claim that Tanner Mainstain caused her to be uninsured, prevented her from seeking medical care, or somehow contributed to her cancer is patently false. Tanner Mainstain will aggressively defend all of Ms. Doherty's claims in court."
Earlier: The actress told the publication,
Yes, I have breast cancer, and I am currently undergoing treatment. I am continuing to eat right, exercise and stay very positive about my life. I am thankful to my family, friends and doctors for their support and, of course, my fans who have stood by me.
According to court documents The Hollywood Reporter claims to have obtained, Doherty discovered she had invasive breast cancer in March. However, the Beverly Hills, 90210 star alleges Tanner Mainstain was responsible for ensuring her medical insurance premium (which she receives through the Screen Actors Guild) payments were paid in a timely manner, but she claims the company failed to do so. Doherty reportedly claims her cancer spread during a time she was uninsured and that the management company should be responsible for possible further treatment, which could include chemotherapy and/or a mastectomy. Bustle reached out to Tanner Mainstain for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.
THR claims to have obtained the following complaint from Doherty's court documents, which reads as follows:
In November 2013, SAG sent the premium invoice to Tanner Mainstain for Plaintiff's medical insurance coverage for the year 2014. However, Defendants ignored it, failed to pay it (without informing Plaintiff) and then promptly terminated their relationship with [Doherty] effective February 7, 2014.
The complaint continues:
Plaintiff was also informed that, had she been insured and able to visit her doctor, the cancer could potentially have been stopped, thus obviating the need for the future treatment (including mastectomy and chemotherapy) that Plaintiff will likely have to suffer through now.
It's great to hear that Doherty is staying positive at what is no doubt a stressful time in her life.
