“Days of Our Lives” icon Suzanne Rogers shared uplifting news with fans at the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration, revealing that she is now in remission following her stage 2 colorectal cancer diagnosis. The 82-year-old actress, who has portrayed character Maggie Horton for over five decades, opened up about her health journey with strength and optimism.
Rogers made the announcement during Saturday’s anniversary event, providing a positive update after publicly revealing her cancer diagnosis on October 30. The veteran performer had been privately battling the illness since receiving her diagnosis during the summer months while continuing her dedication to the long-running NBC series.
Her recovery represents a significant milestone after what she described as a challenging period of intensive medical treatment. The soap opera legend underwent daily radiation and chemotherapy sessions for six weeks.
The timing of her treatment coincided with “Days of Our Lives'” summer break, allowing Rogers to focus entirely on her health without disrupting the show’s production schedule.
Rogers’ announcement brings relief to countless fans who have followed Maggie Horton’s journey since 1973, when the character first appeared as a farm girl overcoming tragedy.
A Summer of Challenges and Healing
Rogers candidly discussed the difficulties she faced during her treatment period with PEOPLE. “I’m feeling so much better,” she shared at the anniversary celebration. “My summer was rough. I had cancer removed, radiation, that was tough.”
Despite the intensity of her treatment regimen, Rogers experienced fewer side effects than many cancer patients endure. She never lost her signature red hair during chemotherapy, noting that she received “a certain kind of chemo that they gave me, it was pills and the radiation, and it didn’t affect it, so that was good.”
The actress sought medical attention after sensing something “wasn’t quite right” with her body, leading to comprehensive testing, including MRI, PET scan, and biopsy procedures. Her proactive approach to monitoring her health ultimately led to early detection and successful treatment of the stage 2 cancer.
Rogers leaned heavily on her faith during the challenging period, finding comfort through her church community. She told the outlet that her priest took her to the altar before treatment began and anointed her, a ritual she credits with helping her through the ordeal.
Returning to Salem with Renewed Perspective
The experience has brought new clarity to Rogers’ outlook on life and work. She currently feels “about 70% right now” and is “just basically letting things happen” rather than forcing outcomes.
Her health journey has shifted her priorities in meaningful ways. “I don’t worry about the small things,” Rogers noted. “It’s not worth it. I was rushing here, and I went, ‘Wait a minute. You’re not going anywhere.'”
Rogers has successfully returned to work on “Days of Our Lives,” where Maggie continues to play a central role in current storylines. The show’s summer taping schedule worked in her favor, allowing extra recovery time without noticeable gaps in Maggie’s screen presence.
