Days Of Our Lives star Suzanne Rogers, 82, reveals major health update in stage two colon cancer battle

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Suzanne Rogers, known for her role on Days Of Our Lives, is now cancer-free after successfully fighting stage two colon cancer. She is currently in remission.

82-year-old Maria Rogers recently told People magazine that she’s doing well, shortly after sharing news of her summer diagnosis.

The actor, known for their role in a soap opera, has finished treatment and believes a blessing from their priest was instrumental in their recovery.

I’m doing much better now,” she shared at the Days of our Lives 60th Anniversary event in Los Angeles on Saturday. “I had a difficult summer – I went through cancer surgery and radiation treatment, but thankfully, I didn’t lose my hair. I think catching it early helped with that.”

She explained that when she was diagnosed with stage two cancer, she received chemotherapy pills and radiation treatment. Fortunately, the treatment didn’t seem to have any negative effects, and she is now in remission.

Receiving a diagnosis helped Rogers gain perspective, allowing her to worry less about minor problems.

I try not to stress over little issues – they just aren’t worth the energy. I was hurrying over here, but then I reminded myself, ‘Hold on,’ just like someone would say, ‘You’re not going anywhere,’ she explained.

Rogers turned to her family and faith as she weathered the diagnosis.

I spoke with my priest the day before my chemotherapy and radiation were scheduled to begin. I asked if we could talk, and told him about my upcoming treatment. He asked me to come with him, and led me to the front of the church, up to the altar. He had me stand there while he got some special oils and said a prayer, performing an anointing. I truly believe that moment gave me strength and helped me get through everything.

Rogers first revealed her diagnosis with TV Insider in a story published on October 30. 

The iconic soap opera star noticed she wasn’t feeling well over the summer and decided to see a doctor to get checked out.

Following several tests – including a colonoscopy, MRI, PET scan, and biopsy – her doctor delivered the difficult news that she had cancer.

Rogers, who has played a character on American soap operas for the longest amount of time of any actor, remembered his doctor telling him, “You have cancer, and we need to begin treatment.”

Honestly, it was completely unexpected. I consider myself a pretty health-conscious person, so when I got the news, it really threw me for a loop – I think I was reeling for days. Thankfully, the doctor reassured me that I’d discovered it at just the right moment, which was a huge relief.

Colorectal cancer, a cancer that begins in either the colon or rectum, is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, following lung and breast cancer.

The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer is a major health concern in the United States, ranking as the third leading cause of cancer deaths for men and the fourth for women.

Stage 2 colorectal cancer hasn’t reached the lymph nodes, but it has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum and potentially spread nearby.

After she wrapped up Days of Our Lives for the summer, the star began treatment three days later.

‘It was radiation every day and chemo every day for six weeks and it was tough,’ Rogers shared.

It was challenging having to go to the doctor five days a week, but I really looked forward to my weekends off. I was exhausted from constantly going to appointments and just needed a break.

During her treatment, Rogers received vital support from her Days of Our Lives colleagues, particularly Linsey Godfrey, who herself is a cancer survivor.

It was truly frightening, she told me. She explained that whenever she had a doctor’s appointment, someone always went with her, because the moment you hear the word ‘cancer,’ everything else just fades out. It’s like your brain stops processing anything else, and you’re just left with that one word. It really stuck with me how powerfully that one word can affect you.

Oh my gosh, it was the sweetest thing ever! I needed this infusion, you know, and it takes forever – like an hour and a half! But Linsey? She just stayed with me the whole time, holding my hand. It meant the world to me, seriously. I was so nervous, and she just made everything okay.

We often had lunch or dinner with Paul Telfer and Linsey’s daughter, Aleda. They were always so supportive, making our time together both on and off set really enjoyable. We genuinely felt like a family.

Rogers said she completed her treatment on July 31 and is ‘feeling really good’ now.

However, it hasn’t been without challenges.

I was really surprised by how tired I felt, because I usually have tons of energy. It made me wonder if I’d ever feel like myself again, but thankfully, my energy is returning. I’m not quite back to normal yet, but I’m feeling much better, and I’ve been having more good days than bad lately, which is great.

‘I start back to work next week, so we’ll see how that goes,’ Rogers added.

I always get a little nervous when I receive new scripts. I just want to do a good job and not slow anyone else down, so that’s what I’m feeling right now. It’s not related to my health condition, just the usual pre-performance jitters.

Rogers also revealed she did not lose her iconic red hair during treatment.

She explained that she believed it was due to the chemotherapy pills she was taking. She acknowledged some might question whether she truly had cancer, but said she didn’t worry about what others thought. Knowing what she’d experienced and overcoming it was all that mattered to her.

Born in Virginia with red hair, she was diagnosed with the rare muscle disease myasthenia gravis in 1984. This condition significantly limited her ability to work, but reports indicate she is now in remission.

Susan Rogers holds the record for the longest continuous performance by an actor in American soap opera history. She played Maggie Horton Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives for 52 years, starting in 1973.

In 1979, she received a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance as a supporting actress in a drama series – the only one she ever won.

In addition to his other roles, Rogers guest-starred on popular TV shows like Knight Rider, Little House on the Prairie, Quincy, M.E., and Love, American Style.

The dancer began her career performing at Radio City Music Hall and in several Broadway shows.

Rogers was married to Another World star Sam Groom between 1980-1982.

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2025-11-10 20:34