Days of Our Lives icon Suzanne Rogers announced that she was diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer and recently underwent treatment.
Rogers, who portrayed Salem leading lady Maggie Horton for 52 years, opened up about her cancer diagnosis during an interview with TV Insider published on October 30, which stated that her health issues were the reason for her absence from the show.
The 82-year-old actress told the entertainment publication that she decided to make an appointment with the doctor after she felt something was “not quite right” despite having regular colonoscopies. She had another one and the surgeon suggested she come in for an MRI, PET scan and biopsy after seeing the results.
“And the minute he said that, I knew there was more to it,” she recalled.
After another procedure, she found out that she had stage 2 colorectal cancer. Her doctor told her, “You have cancer and you need to start treatment,” she said.
Rodgers added: “It was a shock. I mean, I think I was in shock for a few days because I take pretty good care of myself. But he said, 'It's good that you caught it in time.'
She underwent treatment this summer after Days of Our Lives wrapped filming in June.
“Radiation every day and chemotherapy every day for six weeks, and it was tough,” Rogers said. “It was hard knowing that you have to do this five days a week and then you have Saturday and Sunday off. I thoroughly enjoyed my days off because I didn't have to go to the doctor. I was so tired of going to the doctors.”
Although she initially didn't reveal her diagnosis, she later reached out to her co-star Lynsey Godfrey, who plays her on-screen daughter Sarah Horton, for support. She said Godfrey held her hand during one of her infusions, and that other stars such as Paul Telfer, Mary Beth Evans, Stephen Nichols, Greg Rikaart and AnnaLynne McCord were also by her side. The producers also advised her to prioritize her health and that she would be able to resume the role of Rogers when she was better.
Her treatment ended on July 31. “I feel really good,” she told TV Insider. “I'll be back to work next week, so we'll see how it goes.”
She continued, “Now I feel anxious like I do every time I get scripts because I want to do my best and you don't want to hold anyone up. So that's the only anxiety I feel. It's not because of my illness, let's put it that way.”
Rogers said her recent health problems have changed her outlook on life. “It's so funny because I used to worry about stupid things,” she shared. “And when you go through it, it takes you a while to say, 'OK, this is what I have, and I'm going to do my best to fight it and get through it.' And that's what I did. The prayers and well wishes of my friends and family helped me stay positive, stay on top and win.”
Her Days of Our Lives family posted on Instagram about Rogers' diagnosis on October 30 and told viewers they might see Maggie on TV again soon.
The show says, “We're glad Suzanne came through this ordeal with her signature grace and strength. Fans will be pleased to know that 'Maggie' will remain a permanent presence in Salem.”
The post said Rogers' absence from the 2026 show with me would be “minimal.” According to TV Insider, Days of Our Lives is filming 10 months in advance.
Days of Our Lives previously commented that Rodgers was taking a break from the show in July. Soap shared a statement with Soap Opera Digest At the time of the rumor, Rogers walked away, writing that the speculation “couldn't be further from the truth; Maggie and Suzanne are an integral part of the show's history, current storylines, and now, following our pickup, the future! None of them are going anywhere.”
Rogers has played Maggie on the beloved soap opera since 1973, for a reported 3,205 episodes. IMDb. NBCUniversal confirms Days of Our Lives updated for seasons 62 and 63 of the series Peacock.
Colorectal cancer develops in either the colon or rectum, and approximately 3.9 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. National Cancer Institute reports. Since 2018 American Cancer Society recommends that patients begin screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45.
NBC News medical correspondent Dr. Natalie Azar said: TODAY in May, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the world.
