From Salem to Remission: Suzanne Rogers' Inspiring Health Journey

After a challenging summer, "Days of Our Lives" beloved star Suzanne Rogers is celebrating a major victory: she's officially in remission from Stage 2 colon cancer.

TL;DR: Key Health Updates on Suzanne Rogers

• Suzanne Rogers, known as Maggie Horton on "Days of Our Lives" for 52 years, has announced she is in remission from Stage 2 colon cancer.
• She underwent six weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy pills, managing to keep her hair and completing treatment on July 31, 2025.
• The experience has profoundly shifted her outlook on life, emphasizing gratitude and letting go of small worries, with strong support from her "Days" family and faith.

A Startling Diagnosis for a Daytime Television Icon

Imagine feeling like something just isn't quite right with your body, even when you're diligently keeping up with routine health screenings. That's precisely where Suzanne Rogers, the enduring star of "Days Of Our Lives," found herself this past summer. Despite her proactive approach to health, an MRI, PET scan, and biopsy delivered a shocking diagnosis: Stage 2 colon cancer. "It was all a shock," Rogers told TV Insider, reflecting on the initial days after hearing the news. "I mean, I think I was in a shock for several days because I take pretty good care of myself."

Rogers, at 82, has portrayed the beloved character Maggie Horton on the popular soap opera for an astonishing 52 years, making her the longest-running actress in an American soap opera. Her announcement of a cancer diagnosis in October came as a significant moment for her dedicated fanbase. However, her recent update, shared at Peacock's "Days of Our Lives" 60th Anniversary Celebration on November 8, 2025, brought immense relief and joy: she is officially in remission.

Navigating a Challenging Six Weeks of Intense Treatment

The journey to remission was far from easy. Rogers described her summer as "rough," undergoing surgery to remove the cancer, followed by an intensive regimen of daily radiation and chemotherapy. This challenging period lasted for six weeks, with treatments scheduled five days a week. The actress found herself looking forward to weekends, a brief reprieve from the constant medical appointments. "It was tough knowing you had to do it five days a week and then you had off Saturday and Sunday. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekends because I didn’t have to go to and see a doctor. I was so tired of seeing doctors," she shared with People magazine.

One silver lining in her treatment was the specific type of chemotherapy in pill form, which spared her from losing her hair. Doctors emphasized that catching the cancer early, at Stage 2, was a critical factor in her successful outcome. Rogers credits this early detection, saying, "I guess I got it early. I was stage two, and it was 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." Source: [People, "Suzanne Rogers Is in Remission From Stage 2 Colon Cancer: 'I Didn't Lose My Hair'", November 10, 2025].

Returning to Salem with a New Perspective and Renewed Energy

Rogers completed her demanding treatment on July 31, 2025. Coincidentally, "Days of Our Lives" was on a six-week hiatus at the time, which allowed her to manage her health battle with a degree of privacy, sharing the news only with a close circle of cast and crew members. These included executive producer Ken Corday and fellow actors like Mary Beth Evans, Stephen Nichols, and Greg Rikaart. The show's producers made sure to reassure her that her role would be waiting when she was ready to return, providing a sense of security during a vulnerable time.

By the start of November, Rogers was back on set, though her energy levels were still rebuilding. She noted her energy was "about 70% right now," a testament to the toll cancer treatment takes on the body, even after remission. She confessed to feeling the usual pre-filming jitters, anxious to deliver her best performance and not hold up production, but clarified, "It’s not because of my illness, let’s put it that way." Source: [TV Insider, "'Days of Our Lives' Star Suzanne Rogers Shares Positive Health Update After Cancer Diagnosis", November 10, 2025]. The show's significant production lead time means her character, Maggie, will be off-screen for a portion of 2026, a practical consequence of her necessary medical leave.

Faith and Friendship: The Pillars of Her Support System

Rogers' journey was not walked alone. She found immense strength in her faith and a robust support system. The day before she began her chemotherapy and radiation, she consulted her Catholic priest. "He took me into the church, up the aisle, up on the altar. He said, 'Stand right here.' And he went and got some oils and a prayer and did the anointing. So I felt that that’s what helped me through," she recounted to People. This spiritual solace provided a crucial foundation for her grueling treatment.

"I don't worry about the small things. It's not worth it. I was rushing here, and I went, 'Wait a minute. You're not going anywhere.'"

— Suzanne Rogers to People magazine

Her "Days of Our Lives" family also rallied around her. Co-star Linsey Godfrey, who had her own battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006 and entered remission in 2007, played a particularly significant role. Godfrey encouraged Rogers to share her story publicly, seeing the power in vulnerability. "I think if you feel [that] it’s a secret, it feels like something awful that’s happening to you. When you talk about it, it feels like something amazing you’re overcoming," Godfrey told Us Weekly. Source: [Us Weekly, "Suzanne Rogers and Linsey Godfrey", November 8, 2025]. This advice highlights a common tradeoff for public figures: the desire for privacy versus the potential to inspire millions.

Godfrey, alongside Paul Telfer, even formed a "dinner club" with Rogers, fostering a deep personal connection. Godfrey fondly refers to Rogers as her "LA mom," showcasing the genuine bonds formed on set. This kind of unwavering personal support, coupled with the "prayers and good wishes from my friends and my family," was instrumental in helping her "stay positive and stay on top of it and beat this," as Rogers reflected.

A Transformed Outlook: Prioritizing What Truly Matters

Emerging from her cancer battle, Rogers describes a profound shift in her approach to life. "I don’t worry about the small things. It’s not worth it," she declared. She illustrated this newfound perspective with a simple anecdote: rushing to the anniversary event, she consciously paused, reminding herself, "Wait a minute. You’re not going anywhere." This mindset of "just basically letting things happen" rather than "making anything happen" is a powerful testament to how a major health scare can reshuffle priorities, moving away from stress over trivialities towards a more serene acceptance.

This perspective is a beautiful, if hard-won, change. However, it’s important to acknowledge that this shift doesn't mean an instant return to pre-illness vigor. While in remission, her energy is still at 70%, underscoring that recovery is a process, not a sudden event. This serves as a limitation on the immediate, full "bounce back" often depicted in media, reminding us of the lasting impact of such intensive treatments.

Example: The Ripple Effect of Sharing Her Story

Consider someone like Maria, a devoted "Days of Our Lives" viewer in her late 40s. She'd been putting off her routine colonoscopy, citing busyness and a general dread of the procedure. Hearing Suzanne Rogers, a figure she'd watched for decades, speak candidly about catching Stage 2 colon cancer early and now being in remission, hit home. Rogers' emphasis on "it’s a good thing you caught it in time" spurred Maria to finally schedule her appointment. Maria's situation exemplifies how a celebrity's honest sharing can translate into tangible, life-saving action for individuals who might otherwise delay crucial health screenings.

Practical Takeaways from Suzanne Rogers' Cancer Journey

Suzanne Rogers' remarkable story of battling and overcoming Stage 2 colon cancer offers several valuable lessons for everyone, whether you're a long-time fan or just learning of her journey:

• Listen to Your Body: Rogers felt "something wasn't quite right," prompting her to seek medical attention. Don't ignore persistent or unusual symptoms, even if you follow routine screenings.
• Early Detection is Key: Her doctors stressed the importance of catching the cancer at Stage 2. Regular screenings, like colonoscopies for those 45 and older (as recommended by the American Cancer Society), are crucial for identifying issues when they are most treatable.
• Cultivate a Strong Support System: Whether it's family, friends, colleagues, or spiritual leaders, having people who offer prayers, encouragement, and practical help can make a significant difference during a health crisis.
• Re-evaluate Life's Priorities: A major health challenge can be a catalyst for change. Like Rogers, consider letting go of "small things" and focusing on gratitude, peace, and what truly matters.
• Recovery is a Journey: Remission is a huge victory, but it's okay for energy levels and emotional well-being to take time to fully return. Be patient and kind to yourself through the healing process.

FAQ: What You Need to Know About Suzanne Rogers' Health What type of cancer was Suzanne Rogers diagnosed with? Suzanne Rogers was diagnosed with Stage 2 colon cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer. Is Suzanne Rogers currently in remission? Yes, Suzanne Rogers officially announced she is in remission at the "Days of Our Lives" 60th Anniversary Celebration on November 8, 2025. What was Suzanne Rogers' cancer treatment like? Her treatment involved surgery to remove the cancer, followed by six weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy pills. She notably did not lose her hair due to the specific type of chemo. How has her cancer journey changed her outlook on life? Rogers states she no longer worries about small, trivial things and now focuses on letting things happen naturally, embracing a more grateful and less stressed approach to life.

Sources:

• People, "Suzanne Rogers Is in Remission From Stage 2 Colon Cancer: 'I Didn't Lose My Hair'", November 10, 2025.
• TV Insider, "'Days of Our Lives' Star Suzanne Rogers Shares Positive Health Update After Cancer Diagnosis", November 10, 2025.
• Us Weekly, "Suzanne Rogers and Linsey Godfrey", November 8, 2025.
• Just Jared, "'Days of Our Lives' Star Suzanne Rogers In Remission Amid Cancer Battle", November 10, 2025.
• Geo News Digital Desk, "Suzanne Rogers admits she doesn't 'worry' about THIS after cancer diagnosis", November 10, 2025.
• The Fashion Central, "Suzanne Rogers Beats Cancer and Gets a Major Life Reset", November 10, 2025.
• PopCulture.com, "Days of Our Lives' Star Suzanne Rogers Reveals She's In Remission Amid Cancer Battle", November 10, 2025.
• pennlive.com, "Suzanne Rogers, ‘Days of Our Lives’ star, gives health update after cancer diagnosis", November 11, 2025.
• iNews, "Suzanne Rogers Shares Hopeful Update After Cancer Diagnosis and Remission", November 11, 2025.