Olivia Munn reveals Shannen Doherty helped her through her own breast cancer battle: 'Absolutely heartbroken'

"Cancer is really f---ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength, and grace."

Olivia Munn is one of many stars mourning Shannen Doherty, the Charmed and Beverly Hills, 90210 actress who died Saturday at 53 after a long battle with breast cancer.

In an emotional Sunday social media post, Munn revealed that she connected with Doherty after receiving her own cancer diagnosis in 2023.

“I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty,” Munn wrote in an Instagram Story. "When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remember how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her. 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."

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Munn went on to say that the two forged a bond over their “shared battle” and “a desire to help other women.”

<p>Nicole/FilmMagic; Vera Anderson/WireImage</p> Olivia Munn; Shannen Doherty

Nicole/FilmMagic; Vera Anderson/WireImage

Olivia Munn; Shannen Doherty

Related: Charmed star Alyssa Milano reacts to Shannen Doherty's death: 'The world is less without her'

She continued, “Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me… 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 concluded. "I’m sending all of my love to her mother, who was her best friend, hero, and champion every step of the way.”

Doherty, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015, was open about her battle with the disease, documenting her progress and treatment on social media. After undergoing chemotherapy, she revealed in April 2017 that her cancer was in remission. A year later, she received unclear test results and told followers, "I’m staying positive and taking stock of my life."

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Following her single mastectomy in 2016, Doherty underwent breast reconstruction in 2018. However, in 2020, her cancer returned. "I don’t think I’ve processed it," she told ABC News on Good Morning America. "It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways."

Munn only recently opened up about her own battle with cancer, which resulted in her undergoing multiple surgeries, including a double mastectomy. Earlier this year, the Newsroom actress said she was shocked to be diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in May 2023 after tests revealed she had Luminal B — a fast-growing, aggressive cancer — in both breasts. As part of her treatment plan, Munn underwent four surgeries over the course of 10 months.

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