Olivia Munn, 43, revealed on social media that she has been privately battling breast cancer, and underwent a double mastectomy last year. Munn posted a series of photos and videos on Instagram from when she was undergoing treatment in the hospital after learning of her diagnosis, with the short caption: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I hope by sharing this it will help others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey.”
Munn said she was diagnosed with Luminal B breast cancer in April 2023 and has since undergone several surgeries, including a double mastectomy. In her statement posted to her Instagram, Munn explained the importance of detecting the disease early: “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). 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. In the past ten 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. 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 clearheaded.”
The actress said she wouldn’t have found her cancer if it weren’t for her OB/GYN Dr. Thais Aliabadi, saying that Aliabadi decided to calculate her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. Said Munn: “The fact that she did saved my life. 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 acknowledged the staff at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and Saint John’s in Santa Monica for their help during her treatment, and ended her statement thanking her loved ones for their support throughout her cancer battle, specifically her boyfriend, John Mulaney with whom she shares 2-year-old son, Malcolm: “I’m so thankful to my friends and family for loving me through this. I’m so thankful to [John Mulaney] for the nights he spent researching what every operation and medication meant and what side effects and recovery I could expect. For being there before I went into each surgery and being there when I woke up, always placing framed photos of our little boy Malcolm so it would be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. Thank you to the friends who’ve had breast cancer and the friends who connected me to friends who’ve had breast cancer for guiding me through some of my most uncertain and overwhelming moments.”
Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
