Olivia Munn took to social media on Wednesday to reveal that she was recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy as a result.
In an Instagram post Wednesday afternoon, Munn shared several photos of herself in the hospital prior to her procedure, as well as a message detailing the history of her diagnoses.
“In February of 2023, in an effort to be proactive about my health, I took a genetic test that checks you for 90 different cancer genes,” said Munn in her post.” I tested negative for all, including BRCA (the most well-known breast cancer gene). My sister Sara had just tested negative as well. We called each other and high-fived over the phone. That same winter I also had a normal mammogram. Two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Munn praises her doctor for their role in uncovering diagnoses
According to Munn, her doctor deciding to calculate her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score is what led to the early detection, a move that Munn praises as life-saving.
“I wouldn’t have found my cancer for another year – at my next scheduled mammogram – except that my OBGYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, decided to calculate my Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. The fact that she did saved my life,” Munn said. “Dr. Aliabadi looked at factors like my age, familial breast cancer history, and the fact that I had my first child after the age of 30. She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37%. Because of that score I was sent to get an MRI, which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy. The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast moving cancer.”
Munn went on to say that she very quickly decided to undergo a double mastectomy, and just 30 days after the biopsy, she was undergoing the procedure.
“I went from feeling completely fine one day, to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next,” said Munn. “I’m lucky. We caught it with enough time that I had options. I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day. Ask your doctor to calculate your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. Dr. Aliabadi says that If the number is greater than 20%, you need annual mammograms and breast MRIs starting at age 30.”
