Olivia Munn has revealed her secret battle with breast cancer.
The popular actress was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, just two months after she took a genetic test that had negative results.
In a post shared on Instagram today, the mother-of-one shared several photos of herself in hospital, and told fans that she’s undergone four surgeries over the past 10 months – including a double mastectomy.
She wrote: “In February of 2023, in an effort to be more proactive about my health, I took a genetic test that checks you for 90 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. The same winter I also had a negative mammogram.
“Two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Olivia continued: “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 could ever 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 my emotions that I felt would interfere with my ability to stay clearheaded.
“I’ve tended to let people see me when I have energy, when I can get dressed and get out of the house, when I can take my baby boy to the park. I’ve kept the diagnosis and the worry and the recovery and the pain medicine and the paper gowns private.
“I needed to catch my breath and get through some of the hardest parts before sharing,” she confessed.
Olivia went on to praise her OBGYN, Dr. Aliabadi, for deciding to calculate her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score, and said: “The fact she did saved my life.”
“Dr. Aliabadi looked at factors like my age, familial breast cancer history, and the fact I had my first child after the age of 30. She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37 per cent,” she wrote.
“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.
“30 days after that biopsy I had 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.”
Olivia, who shares 2-year-old son Malcolm with her comedian beau John Mulaney, continued: “I’m lucky. We caught it with enough time that I had options. I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day.”
The 43-year-old encouraged fans to ask their doctors to calculate their Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score, and to keep up to date with their annual mammograms and breast MRIs.
Olivia added: “I’m so thankful to my friends and family for loving me through this. I’m so thankful to John 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 have had breast cancer for guiding me through some of my most uncertain and overwhelming months.
“I am extremely grateful for nurses, patient coordinators and staff at the Cedars-Sinai in LA and Saint John’s in Santa Monica.
“I want to specifically thank my surgical oncologist Dr. Armando Giuliano, my reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Jay Orringer, my oncologist Dr. Monica Mita and especially my guardian angel, Dr. Thais Aliabadi.”
A host of famous faces showed their support for Olivia in the comment section, including her partner John who wrote: “Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us. Malc and I adore you.”
Jessica Chastain commented: “You are very generous to share your story. I believe in doing so, you’ve saved lives. So much love to you and your family 💕.”
Kristin Davis also wrote: “Your experience is so powerful to share! Sending you so much love and strength, so grateful you found out early and can only imagine the emotional roller coaster you have been on.”
