<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A breast cancer survivor who was inspired by an Aussie actor to get a mammogram is urging others to do the same.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Luan Lawrenson-Woods said seeing actor and advocate Samuel Johnson discussing breast cancer on an episode of The Project in 2017 inspired her to get a mammogram.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It turned out Lawrenson-Woods was in the early stages of breast cancer, and she admits she didn't catch the signs.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/donald-trump-tariffs-announcement-australia-impacts-economy/7063ae38-48d9-4916-9896-a35c826ed1c5" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australia dodged one tariff bullet, but could be hit by another"><strong><span>Australia dodged one tariff bullet, but could be hit by another</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I hadn't noticed any lumps or bumps - just been like coughing and just generally unwell," she told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I just thought, you know what mammograms are free for over 40s. It was just like going to get my car checked."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She also said it wasn't until seeing Johnson on television that she made the call.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/australia-breast-cancer-samuel-johnson/c8ffe4c4-107d-4a9e-806a-33b9a363bb63" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Johnson's sister Connie was diagnosed with breast cancer and later passed away in 2017.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He started the charity Love Your Sister, which is dedicated to supporting cancer research.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lawrenson-Woods underwent years of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery followed, before she was declared cancer-free.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The experience turned her into an advocate as well, but she never had the chance to thank Johnson until they met at a Patients Australia gala in Melbourne. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/father-chris-riley-dead-australia-sydney/2bf439fe-59fc-4870-8dc3-c3081ac2506c" rel="" target="_blank" title="Beloved Australian pastor and charity founder dies aged 70"><strong><span>Beloved Australian pastor and charity founder dies aged 70</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Johnson said he was proud of Lawrenson-Woods taking initiative and catching the cancer early.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My sister would be so thankful you were so vigilant because she was kicking herself because she knew something was wrong," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lawrenson-Woods used the gala to highlight the importance of early detection in helping treat breast cancer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You know you best; if something isn't right - go and get it checked out," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pair continue to be strong advocates for supporting breast cancer sufferers and survivors, and Johnson said it is a collective effort.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My sister used to love saying Sam this is bigger than us - it's not about us, it's about everyone out there," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Hopefully they're listening and speaking to their doctors."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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