William Shatner and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, have revealed that they were both fighting cancer at the same time, making one of the most difficult periods of their lives even more emotional.

Speaking with People magazine, the father and daughter shared how they leaned on one another while each battled Stage 4 cancer. Thankfully, after years of treatment, both were declared cancer-free near the end of 2024.

Melanie’s cancer journey began about four years ago when she woke up in the middle of the night and felt a small lump on her breast. At first, she thought it was a bug bite. Even though she had received a normal mammogram just five months earlier, she decided to have it checked.

During her appointment, the technician initially could not find anything unusual. However, Melanie said she felt strongly that something was wrong and asked for another look. The technician scanned the exact spot Melanie pointed to and discovered the lump.

Doctors diagnosed her with HER2-positive breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes in her chest. Over the next 18 months, she underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, 30 radiation treatments, and a double mastectomy.

She said chemotherapy was the most physically exhausting part of her treatment, while radiation took the greatest emotional toll.

As Melanie was finishing treatment, William Shatner noticed a lump on his cheek. A family doctor believed it was simply a blocked salivary gland and not a cause for concern. However, while horseback riding, Shatner mentioned it to a physician friend, who urged him to have it removed immediately.

The biopsy revealed devastating news. In June 2023, the actor was diagnosed with Stage 4 malignant melanoma that had spread to his lungs and brain.

Melanie admitted she was overwhelmed by the diagnosis.

“I remember vividly thinking, ‘I don’t have the strength to take care of myself and lose my father at the same time,’” she said.

Shatner, however, remained optimistic throughout his treatment. Doctors told him that if he had waited any longer to seek medical attention, he likely would not have survived.

The tumor was removed, and he spent the next two years receiving immunotherapy. Despite his diagnosis, Shatner refused to slow down.

“He wouldn’t stop his life,” Melanie said. “He kept working and moving forward.”

Whenever he was home, Melanie, her husband, actor Joel Gretsch, and their two daughters visited often, bringing meals and spending time watching movies together to make sure he was never alone.

Shatner also supported his daughter throughout her own cancer battle. Melanie said he insisted on paying her medical bills and constantly encouraged her to stay positive, even using humor to lift her spirits during difficult days.

Looking back, Shatner said they were fortunate to receive excellent medical care.

“We got the perfect doctors for her cancer and my cancer,” he said.

Now 95, Shatner says he feels healthier than he has in years. He remains active and continues working on new projects, including two books and two music records expected to be released next year.

Shatner is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors. He is best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek television series and several blockbuster films based on the franchise. His career has spanned more than seven decades and includes popular television shows such as T.J. Hooker, Boston Legal, and numerous film, television, and voice acting roles.

In 2021, Shatner made history when he flew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, becoming the oldest person to travel to space at age 90.

His daughter said hearing that both of them were finally cancer-free was an unforgettable moment.

“It was the third time in my life I had heard him cry,” Melanie recalled after sharing the good news.

For Shatner, surviving cancer has changed the way he looks at life. Today, he says he is grateful for every day and believes staying mentally and physically active has played an important role in his recovery.