Worthington, 37, spoke about his mother Jeanne's experience to raise awareness about the "silent killer".

"Mum's cancer battle struck at the heart of life and death for me. She said, 'I'm not going to let this disease control how I live', Worthington told GQ magazine.

Although Jeanne has been given the all-clear, Worthington says the experience taught him the importance of staying positive.

He says: “I might not have agreed with the way mum chose to handle her treatment at the time, but she taught me that the best way to help her was to stop being all 'woe is me'”.

Following his mum's wishes, Worthington says, “Everyone in our family got stronger by staying positive together.”

The Avatar star has shared his story to show support for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation's (OCRF) White Shirt campaign.

Joining Worthington in supporting the White Shirt campaign are fellow Australian actors David Wenham and Don Hany.

In the OCRF's White Shirt campaign behind the scenes video, wearing white Worthington says, “Every ten hours a women dies from ovarian cancer.”

Also featuring in the video is fashion blogger Nicole Warne, who says, “A pap smear cannot detect ovarian cancer.”

CEO and co-founder of OCRF, Liz Heliotis says she is so humbled to be a part of the campaign and “being able to support the future of women's global health.”

In 2014 it is reported that about 1470 Australia women are expected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Heliotis says: “Research is the only answer.”

Leading the way is fashion retailer Witchery, which is selling white shirts for both men and women and donating 100 per cent of the proceeds to the research foundation.

White shirts can be purchased from Witchery from April 10 in preparation for Unite in White day on May 1.

Apart from speaking out to raise awareness Worthington usually remains private. Since striking up a relationship with Australia model, Lara Bingle, late last year he has been regularly in the spotlight.

And not always for such a good cause.

The actor recently landed in hot water defending Bingle from a photographer in New York.

Worthington was charged with assaulting a photographer, Sheng Li, after he allegedly kicked Bingle in the shin.

Worthington is currently in LA filming a new indie film, Cake, alongside Jennifer Aniston.

Worthington plays the husband of a woman who takes her own life.