- Suzanne Rogers, beloved as Maggie Horton on Days of Our Lives for over five decades, reveals a secret battle with Stage II colorectal cancer.
- The veteran actress underwent an intense six-week regimen of daily radiation and chemotherapy this past summer during the show’s production hiatus.
- Supported by her on-screen family and producers, Rogers has completed her treatment and is now making her return to the set.
- Rogers addresses her upcoming on-screen absence in 2026, putting retirement rumors to rest and sharing her powerful journey of recovery with fans.
A Star’s Private Health Crisis
Suzanne Rogers, who has graced television screens as the iconic Maggie Horton on Days of our Lives for 52 years, has revealed the most challenging role of her life: cancer patient. The long-running soap opera star recently shared in an exclusive interview that she was diagnosed with Stage II colorectal cancer this past summer, a revelation that has stunned her dedicated fanbase.
The Moment Everything Changed
The journey began when Rogers felt that something “wasn’t quite right” with her health, prompting a doctor’s visit. Despite undergoing routine colonoscopies, a new series of tests was ordered. “He said, ‘I want you to have an MRI and I want you to have a PET scan and I’m going to do a biopsy,’” Rogers shared. “And the minute he said that I knew that it was something more.”
Her fears were confirmed following the procedure. “He said, ‘You have cancer and you have to start treatment,’” Rogers recalled of the shocking moment. “It was all a shock. I mean, I think I was in a shock for several days because I take pretty good care of myself.”
A Grueling Fight Behind the Scenes
Wasting no time, Rogers began her fight just three days after wrapping her scenes at Days on June 13. Her treatment was grueling, involving “radiation every day and chemo every day for six weeks.” The show’s conveniently timed six-week summer hiatus allowed her to navigate this difficult period away from the public eye. “I was able to keep it under wraps,” she explained. “It helped me because it gave me even more time to chill and to get myself healthy.”
An Outpouring of Support from Her TV Family
Facing the battle without family nearby in Los Angeles, Rogers leaned on her friends and her Days of our Lives co-stars. Her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey (Sarah Horton), herself a cancer survivor, was a pillar of strength. “I had to have an infusion, and it takes about an hour and a half, so Linsey sat there with me and held my hand,” Rogers relayed, highlighting the deep bond they share off-set.
Cast and Crew Rally Around Her
The support network quickly grew as other cast members, including Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), reached out with calls and messages. The show’s producers were equally supportive, with executive producer Ken Corday assuring her, “Don’t worry about a thing, take care of yourself, get yourself well. That’s the most important thing. We are here.”
The Road to Recovery and Return to Salem
Rogers successfully completed her treatment on July 31 and is now returning to work. While she admits to feeling the usual pre-show anxiousness, she is enthusiastic about getting back on set. “I’m feeling really good,” she said, noting that her energy is returning day by day. She also clarified that she did not lose her hair, and her appearance will remain the same when Maggie reappears on screen.
Due to the show’s advanced production schedule, Maggie will be off-canvas for a period in 2026. Rogers wants her fans to know the reason for her absence and to dispel any rumors of retirement. “None of that is true,” she stated firmly. “I want them to know what’s going on.” Now, with a positive prognosis, she is focused on gratitude and a renewed perspective on life.
Image Referance: https://www.tvinsider.com/1224716/suzanne-rogers-cancer-days-of-our-lives-maggie-horton/