Politics
Star Actress Olivia Munn Announces Tragic Diagnosis
In a deeply personal post shared on her Instagram on Wednesday, celebrated actress Olivia Munn revealed her diagnosis of breast cancer. Munn, known for her roles in “The Newsroom” and “X-Men: Apocalypse,” detailed the sequence of events that led to her diagnosis, stressing the unexpected nature of her discovery given her recent negative genetic test results and normal mammogram.
“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. I tested negative for all, including BRCA (the most well-known breast cancer gene),” Munn wrote. Despite the initial relief shared with her sister Sara over their negative results, Munn’s health narrative took a sharp and unforeseen turn.
“Two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she disclosed. Her journey through the diagnosis had been arduous, involving four surgeries, countless days in recovery, and an extensive education on cancer, treatments, and hormones that she never anticipated needing.
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Munn credited her OBGYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, with potentially saving her life by deciding to calculate her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score, a decision that led to further testing and ultimately the discovery of her cancer. “The fact that she did saved my life,” Munn expressed.
“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 actress was diagnosed with Luminal B cancer in both breasts, a type known for its aggressive and fast-moving nature. Munn underwent a double mastectomy just 30 days after the biopsy that confirmed her cancer, a step that she acknowledged as fortunate due to the early detection, giving her options for treatment.
“If the number is greater than 20%, you need annual mammograms and breast MRIs starting at age 30,” she urged, relaying advice from her doctor.
Luminal B breast cancer is recognized as one of the more aggressive forms of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. It’s characterized by its fast growth rate and a higher likelihood of spreading compared to some other types of breast cancer.
The treatment for Luminal B breast cancer often involves a combination of therapies, including surgery, like the double mastectomy Munn underwent, to remove the cancerous tissue. Early detection, as was the case for Munn, is crucial because it provides a wider range of treatment options and can significantly improve the prognosis.
Munn gained recognition for her versatility and talent in both television and film. She spent much of her early life in Japan before returning to the United States, where she pursued her education and later, her acting career. She first came into the public eye as a host on the gaming network G4, particularly on the show “Attack of the Show!” where she quickly became popular for her charismatic presence and humor.
Transitioning to acting, Munn has demonstrated her range in a variety of roles across genres. She is perhaps best known for her work in the HBO drama series “The Newsroom,” where she played the sharp-witted financial reporter Sloan Sabbith.
