Suzanne Rogers has portrayed Maggie Horton on Days of our Lives for 52 years, but this past summer, she faced the biggest challenge of her life. The beloved actress was diagnosed with Stage II colorectal cancer, a battle she quietly fought while the soap was on hiatus. In a new interview with TV Insider, Rogers shared how she managed her treatment privately, the friends who supported her, and how she’s feeling as she returns to work.
Key Takeaways
- Suzanne Rogers reveals she was diagnosed with Stage II colorectal cancer.
- She completed six weeks of daily chemotherapy and radiation.
- Linsey Godfrey and fellow castmates supported her through treatment.
- Rogers is now cancer-free and preparing to return to Days of our Lives.
Facing the Cancer Diagnosis Head-On
Rogers sensed something was wrong before her doctor ordered additional scans and a biopsy. “The minute he said that, I knew it was something more,” she said. When her surgeon confirmed it was Stage II colorectal cancer, Rogers was stunned. “It was all a shock,” she recalled. “I think I was in shock for several days. But he said, ‘It’s a good thing you caught it in time.’”
Determined to fight, she wrapped filming on DAYS on June 13 and began radiation and chemotherapy three days later. “It was radiation every day and chemo every day for six weeks,” Rogers explained. “It was tough knowing you had to do it five days a week. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekends because I didn’t have to see a doctor.”
Quiet Strength and Lasting Support
Because the show was on hiatus, Rogers was able to focus on recovery away from public attention. She leaned on her close friends and co-stars Linsey Godfrey (Sarah Horton) and Sunie Ostermann for support.
Godfrey, a former cancer patient herself, understood exactly what Rogers was facing. “When you hear cancer, you don’t hear anything else,” she said. “Linsey sat there with me, held my hand, and made sure I wasn’t alone.”
The kindness extended across the cast and crew. Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Stephen Nichols (Steve), Greg Rikaart (Leo), and others reached out, while producers Ken Corday, Noel Maxam, and Sara Peterson reassured her that her job would be waiting. “They said, ‘Take care of yourself, get well, and don’t worry about a thing,’” Rogers shared.
Grateful to Be Back
Rogers completed treatment on July 31 and is feeling stronger every day. “I’m feeling really good,” she said. “I start back to work next week, and I’m excited.” Though she admits the process was exhausting, her outlook has shifted. “I’m just grateful. I know what I’ve been through, and I’ve come out on the other side.”
