Olivia Munn just revealed that she was diagnosed with an “aggressive” and “fast-moving” form of breast cancer, Luminal B, last year that required her to have a double mastectomy.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the actor, 43, said she received the diagnosis in April 2023, just months after she had a normal mammogram and underwent a genetic test that screened for 90 different cancer genes—all of which she said she tested negative for, including BRCA. (BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.)
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Even so, her ob-gyn also suggested they look into her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT), or Gail Model, score, which assesses a person’s risk of developing the condition based on various factors like their age, family history, and the age at which they first gave birth. A lifetime risk of at least 20% is considered high—and Munn’s, at 37%, warranted an MRI and biopsy, which revealed she had an aggressive form of cancer called Luminal B in both breasts.
“In the past 10 months, I have had four surgeries, so many days spent in bed I can’t even count, and have learned more about cancer, cancer treatment, and hormones than I ever could have imagined,” Munn wrote. “Surprisingly, I’ve only cried twice. I guess I haven’t felt like there was time to cry. My focus narrowed and I tabled any emotions that I felt would interfere with my ability to stay clear-headed.”
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99% if it’s detected early and localized (meaning, it hasn’t spread to other parts of the body). That’s why the CDC highly encourages people to look into their family history of breast cancer if possible—just as Munn did.
In addition to calculating your BRCAT score—which you can also do online, then consult an ob-gyn or other health care provider about if the results are high—the CDC recommends paying attention to any noticeable lumps, pain, or changes in breast shape, which are some of the earliest symptoms of breast cancer. People with a higher risk of developing it, like those over 50, who have dense breasts, or have a family history of breast cancer, should also be getting regular mammograms every two years, per the CDC and United States Preventive Services Task Force.
Until now, Munn kept her diagnosis and recovery process private. But her decision to share the experience was inspired by her desire to spread awareness, she explained in her Instagram post, which included vulnerable, moving photos and videos taken in the hospital.
“I’m lucky. We caught it with enough time that I had options,” Munn wrote, concluding her statement with a special thank you to the ob-gyn, whom she called her “guardian angel.”
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