Los Angeles, March 15 (NationPress) Actress Olivia Munn revealed that insights from Shannen Doherty significantly influenced her approach to battling breast cancer.

She noted that the late actress urged her to be “extremely proactive” in addressing the illness, according to ‘Female First UK’.

At The L.A. Woman Luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where Olivia was celebrated as Woman of the Year, she discussed the strong bond she developed with Shannen in the months leading up to Shannen's passing in July 2024 at the age of 53 after a prolonged fight with breast cancer that had spread to her bones and brain.

During this event, Olivia reflected on her own diagnosis and treatment journey, while also encouraging women to take the Tyrer-Cuzick breast cancer risk assessment test, a crucial tool for evaluating a woman's five-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. The audience included notable figures like Jennie Garth, Corinne Foxx, Jane Seymour, and her close friend Jessica St. Clair. Olivia recalled Shannen's invaluable advice as she faced her own diagnosis.

She shared, “She told me after going through this, 'Just be so aggressive'”, as mentioned in her conversation with Los Angeles Magazine editor Jasmin Rosemberg.

Olivia expressed gratitude for being able to confront the illness head-on, stating, “I don’t see cancer as something to lament; I feel fortunate to be among the lucky ones.”

During the luncheon, she elaborated on her diagnosis and the subsequent steps following her initial screenings.

She recounted receiving a clear mammogram and ultrasound in January 2023, along with a negative result on a genetic mutation test; however, the Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment indicated a 37.3% lifetime risk of breast cancer, a figure classified as high risk. After an MRI in April, she discovered she had Luminal B breast cancer in both breasts.

As part of her treatment, Olivia underwent five surgeries, including a lymph node dissection, nipple delay procedure, double mastectomy with reconstruction, oophorectomy to remove her ovaries, and a partial hysterectomy.

Her surgical journey concluded in April 2025. Reflecting on the process, Olivia stated, “I used to be incredibly resilient and thought I could tackle any challenge. But I realized that I was carrying a heavy burden, and to climb this mountain, I needed to let it go.”

She noted that overcoming this experience shifted her perspective on vulnerability, saying, “I’ve found strength in being vulnerable, and I carry this realization with me every day.”

Olivia, who shares two children, Malcolm, 4, and Mei, 1, with her husband John Mulaney, 43, is also collaborating with Senator Mark Kelly, 61, to advocate for making the lifetime breast cancer risk assessment test a standard part of healthcare. She emphasized, “It’s unfair for women to have to seek out the necessary tests on their own.”

Previously, Olivia had expressed her gratitude to Shannen for the support she received during her journey, most notably at the Hollywood Creative Alliance’s Astra TV Awards in June 2025.