Olivia Munn reveals how risk assessment helped detect her breast cancer
When Olivia Munn was diagnosed with cancer, she embarked on a journey she had never expected.
Three years ago, the well-known actress received the devastating news that she had breast cancer.
Munn revealed that she had an aggressive form of stage one invasive breast cancer after undergoing a breast cancer risk assessment. Previously, she had received a normal mammogram result and undergone genetic testing, which had shown no cause for concern, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.
Following her doctor's recommendation, she then completed the Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment, a questionnaire examining her personal and family medical history to estimate the likelihood of developing breast cancer. A score above 20% is considered high risk. Her result was 37.3%.
She subsequently underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which revealed the presence of tumours.
“I was facing a mountain of fear,” said Munn, who later underwent a double mastectomy and realised that she wanted to do everything in her power to help other women.
“The day I first spoke publicly about it and saw the reactions, I realised in that moment: ‘Oh, this is my mission. This is what I can contribute to the world.’”
Encouraged by her friend, Senator Mark Kelly, Munn became involved in developing legislation aimed at improving early breast cancer detection.
The proposed legislation, which Kelly plans to introduce in the Senate, includes the creation of a task force responsible for recommending ways to improve access to risk assessment tools.
Munn emphasises that it would make a significant difference if doctors discussed breast cancer risk factors with women during routine health check-ups. This would include the risk assessment tool that helped save her life, as well as her mother's, who was successfully treated for breast cancer last year.
“We are asking very little of people, yet it is something that can have a tremendous impact and save many lives,” Munn said.
Photo: Instagram/oliviamunn
