Christina Applegate Christina Applegate She's been through a lot in the past year...

But Christina Applegate says she's a stronger person now, following her very public battle with breast cancer.

The 37-year-old actress told People magazine her struggle against the illness gave her an important "feeling of purpose".

"I used to be really shy... now I'm not afraid to speak up in a room full of people and be a part of the conversation," she admitted.

Christina was given the all-clear from cancer after undergoing a double mastectomy last July.

She then had reconstructive breast surgery in November 2008.

"You have to get through the physical transformations then buck up, go to work and try to be the normal, happy Christina for everyone around you," the Samantha Who? star revealed.

She added that her boyfriend, Dutch bass player Martyn Lenoble, had played a central role in making her feel "beautiful" about her new bod.

"I'm very grateful to Martyn for coming along at the time that he did because he's been my rock through all of this," she said.

"He gave me something to really want to live for and something to smile about."