Olivia Munn is opening up about the incredible parting advice she received from the late Shannen Doherty, which she says armed her for her own battle with cancer. Speaking at the Los Angeles Magazine’s The L.A. Woman Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday, March 13, Munn explained that Doherty, having gone through her own extensive fight, advised her to “just be so aggressive.”
She has been incredibly candid about her personal cancer journey, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023. Just a month later, she underwent a double mastectomy, which was the first of several surgeries, including a crucial reconstruction procedure.
According to the US Magazine, Munn feels incredibly fortunate to have the “opportunity to fight” her illness, a chance she recognizes isn’t always available to many women facing similar health challenges. Initially, she chose to keep her health battle private, explaining that she wanted “to get through some of the hardest parts before sharing.”
The most powerful part of sharing a story is that it becomes representation for someone who can’t speak
Munn revealed her diagnosis on Instagram in March 2024, sharing that she “went from feeling completely fine one day, to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next.” Shannen Doherty passed away on July 13, 2024, after a long and difficult battle with cancer. The actress was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and thankfully went into remission. However, by 2020, the illness had recurred and tragically spread to her bones.
Following Doherty’s death, Munn expressed her profound sorrow, sharing that she was “absolutely heartbroken” by the loss. Munn recalled reaching out to Doherty when she was first diagnosed, remembering how bravely Doherty had shared her own journey with the world. She said, “We became instant friends — which I honestly couldn’t comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10.”
Munn explained that they “bonded through a shared battle and a desire to help other women.” Munn praised Doherty for her unwavering support and her dedication to helping other women fighting cancer. She reflected on a text Doherty sent her just a couple of months before her passing, asking how Munn was doing and if she could do anything for her.
Munn noted that, “True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease. Cancer is really f—ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace.”
Munn and Doherty aren’t the only people to share their stories, spreading strength through their communities. Recently, Dave Coulier of Full House offered important advice when he shared his story of surviving two different cancers. Evangeline Lilly also took to Instagram to share her supplement routine after a traumatic brain injury with the hope of helping those who don’t have access to similar healthcare.
Published: Mar 16, 2026 01:54 pm