Amy Robach Says She 'Always Marveled' at Shannen Doherty's 'Bravery' amid Their Cancer Journeys

Robach, who was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in October 2013, spoke about Doherty on the latest episode of the Amy and T.J. podcast

Amy Robach is reflecting on how Shannen Doherty changed her life.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Amy and T.J. podcast, the former GMA3 co-anchor, 51, shared her emotional reaction to Doherty's death at age 53 on Saturday, July 13, and discussed the connection the pair had through their separate cancer journeys.

“Shannen Doherty, that one has been hard for me today,” Robach said about Doherty's death as she recalled the 2020 interview in which the actress discussed her 2019 diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

Robach herself was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in October 2013. She then had a double mastectomy and eight rounds of chemotherapy, before a final round of treatment in April 2014

Related: Viola Davis, Katie Couric and More Stars Pay Tribute to Shannen Doherty After Her Death: 'Fly So High'

“She had such an impact on me because we were diagnosed 2 years apart initially," Robach continued. “Every cancer is different, but she and I connected, and she knew she was in a fight for her life. And I just always marveled at her bravery."

“That was the first time I got to meet her. I was blown away by her vulnerability and willingness to share her story to help other people get through really tough times.”

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Doherty's longtime publicist Leslie Sloane confirmed her death to PEOPLE on Sunday, July 14. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and went into remission two years later in 2017, before the cancer returned. In 2020 she announced that she was diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 cancer and in June 2023 she revealed the spread of her cancer to her brain.

“Just to see her bravery in taking it very publicly … It helps so many people going through that same battle, but it's still a very sad day that she lost her battle,” Robach — who learned about her own diagnosis after having a mammogram live on Good Morning America — added of Doherty.

Related: Amy Robach Reflects on 'Crippling' Worries About Death She Had After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: 'That Fear Is Real'

During her GMA interview in 2020, Doherty spoke candidly about her cancer journey, saying of her diagnosis at the time, "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."

"It's going to come out in a matter of days or a week that I'm stage 4. So my cancer came back, and that's why I'm here," Doherty told Robach.

"I don't think I've processed it. It's a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways," she added before stating that she wanted her health journey “to make an impact.”

“I want to be remembered for something bigger than just me,” she added in the interview.

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