Shannen Doherty shares inspiring message after stage four cancer diagnosis

Shannen Doherty posted a touching message after confirming her cancer has returned.

The Beverly Hills 90210 star made the brave announcement on Tuesday, taking to Instagram shortly afterwards - and it seems she's trying her best to remain positive.

Shannen, 48, shared a cartoon of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, which shows Charlie saying, 'We only live once, Snoopy.' To which Snoopy responds, 'Wrong! We only die once. We live every day!'

Friends and fans were quick to leave messages of support, with one writing, 'Sometimes words fail.. but still.. all I have is words. Stay strong, lady! You are such an inspiration.' Another said, 'Your in our thoughts love. You've got this.'

Buffy The Vampire Slayer actress Sarah Michelle Gellar said, 'Beautifully said, my beautiful friend'. While Shannen's former 90210 co-star Tori Spelling wrote, 'Sending lots of love, support, and animal vibes to make you smile xoxo.'

Shannen was first diagnosed with cancer in 2015 but two years ago revealed she was 'done with chemo'.

However in a heartbreaking interview with Good Morning America this week, she said, 'So may cancer came back.

'I don't think I've processed it. It's a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways. I definitely have days where I say ‘Why me?’ And then I go ‘Well, why not me? Who else? Who else besides me deserves this? None of us do’. But I would say that my first reaction is always concern about how am I going to tell my mum, my husband.'

Shannen previously said that her marriage to photographer Kurt Iswarienko changed thanks to cancer - but in a good way.

She explained, 'Cancer solidified us. Kurt and I have a much deeper appreciation for each other now.'