Veteran soap opera actress Suzanne Rogers has announced she is now in remission following a challenging battle with stage two colon cancer. The 82-year-old star, best known for her long-running role on Days of Our Lives, shared the uplifting health news just days after first revealing her diagnosis to the public.
A Summer of Treatment and Triumph
Rogers received her diagnosis over the summer after feeling that something wasn't quite right with her body. She promptly visited her doctor, undergoing a series of tests including a colonoscopy, MRI, PET scan, and a biopsy which confirmed the presence of cancer. Her doctor emphasised that she had caught it in time, a crucial factor in her successful treatment.
Immediately after wrapping the season of Days of Our Lives, the actress began an intensive six-week treatment regimen. This involved daily radiation and daily chemotherapy in pill form. She described the summer as "rough" and the treatment as "tough," particularly the relentless schedule of five days a week. However, she found solace in her weekends, grateful for the break from medical appointments.
Faith, Family, and Co-Stars: A Pillar of Support
Rogers credits her strong faith as a fundamental source of strength throughout her health ordeal. The day before commencing treatment, she sought solace from her priest, who performed a special anointing with oils and prayers for her on the altar of her church. She firmly believes this spiritual ceremony helped her through the difficult journey.
Her Days of Our Lives family also provided indispensable support, particularly her co-star Linsey Godfrey, a cancer survivor herself. Godfrey and fellow actor Paul Telfer accompanied Rogers to appointments and infusions, offering comfort and companionship. Rogers fondly recalled one instance where Godfrey sat with her, holding her hand during a lengthy infusion, highlighting the deep bonds formed on set.
Life in Remission and a New Perspective
Rogers completed her treatment on July 31 and is now feeling "really good." While she experienced significant fatigue—a departure from her normally energetic self—she reports that her energy levels are steadily returning. The actress also shared the fortunate news that she did not lose her iconic red hair during chemotherapy, attributing it to the specific type of chemo pills she was prescribed.
The experience has profoundly shifted her outlook on life. Rogers stated she no longer worries about "the small things," recognising that such anxieties are not worth the energy. She is due to return to the set of Days of Our Lives, feeling the typical pre-script nerves, but is reassured that this anxiety is no longer related to her health.
This is not the first health challenge the actress has overcome; she was previously diagnosed with the rare muscle disease myasthenia gravis in 1984 and is reportedly in remission from that condition as well. Having portrayed Maggie Horton since 1973, Suzanne Rogers holds the record as the longest-running actor in any American soap opera, a remarkable career spanning over five decades.
