Actress Olivia Munn announced on Wednesday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 43-year-old star revealed that she underwent surgery and had a double mastectomy, after a mammogram last year led to the diagnosis.
“In the past 10 months, I've had four surgeries, spent more days in bed than I can't even count and learned more about cancer, cancer treatment, and hormones than I could have ever imagined,” Munn shared in an Instagram post. “Surprisingly, I only cried twice. I guess I didn't feel like there was time to cry. My focus narrowed and I pushed out any emotions that I felt would interfere with my ability to stay clear-headed.
The Newsroom actress said her diagnosis came after her obstetrician-gynecologist decided to calculate a breast cancer risk assessment score.
“The fact that she saved my life,” Munn wrote in the post.
She said she had a genetic test in February 2023 that “screens you for 90 different cancer genes.” She tested negative for all, including the BRCA gene that increases the risk of breast or ovarian cancer, as did her sister.
That same winter, she went for a mammogram and soon after was diagnosed.
“Dr. Aliabadi looked at factors like my age, family history of breast cancer, and the fact that I gave birth to my first child after the age of 30. She discovered that my lifetime risk was 37%. Because of this finding, I was sent for an MRI,” Moon explained. , which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy.” “The biopsy showed that I had luminal B carcinoma in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive and fast-moving cancer.”
30 days after the biopsy, she underwent a double mastectomy.
“I went from feeling completely fine one day, to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next,” Moon said.
She said she kept her diagnosis private because she “needed to catch my breath and get through some of the hardest parts before sharing.”
Moon explained that she is now sharing her story “to help others find comfort, inspiration and support in their own journey,” and urged others to calculate their breast cancer risk scores.
“I'm lucky. We're given enough time to have options. I want the same for any woman who may have to face this one day,” she said.
“I'm so grateful to my friends and family for loving me through this,” Munn added, expressing her appreciation for her doctors, surgeons and partner, comedian John Mulaney, with whom she has a 2-year-old son, Malcolm.
Her participation was met with encouraging messages from other stars.
Actress Jessica Chastain commented, “You are so generous in sharing your story. I believe it, you have saved lives. Much love to you and your family.”
Mindy Kaling simply wrote: “I love you.”
“I've been thinking about you. Maybe that's why. Sending you love and gratitude for sharing this,” said Katie Couric, a breast cancer survivor.
Mulaney also commented on the post.
“Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us. Malik and I adore you,” he wrote.
