Olivia Munn opens up about being medically induced into menopause amid cancer diagnosis
Olivia Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has opened up about her fears in the months since
Olivia Munn has opened up about being medically induced into menopause amid her breast cancer diagnosis.
Last month, the 43-year-old explained she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer the previous year.
Speaking about her diagnosis, Olivia explained how she came to discover the cancer, which is a bilateral cancer called luminal B.
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"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)," she began.
"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."
Speaking about her treatment so far, Olivia added: "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."
While Olivia didn't need to have radiation or chemotherapy, she did undergo a lymph node dissection, a nipple delay procedure and a double mastectomy.
She also began a hormone suppressing therapy in November.
The treatment essentially put her into a medically induced menopause.
"I'm constantly thinking it's hot, my hair is thinning, and I'm tired a lot," she told People.
Speaking about her son Malcolm, she added: "When I'm with him it's the only time my brain doesn't think about being sick. I'm just so happy with him. And it puts a lot of stuff into perspective.
"Because if my body changes, I'm still his mom. If I have hot flashes, I'm still his mom. If I lose my hair, I'm still his mom. That's really what matters the most to me. I get to be here for him."
Olivia caught her cancer after her doctor recommended she calculate her lifetime breast cancer risk score, using the Tyrer-Cuzick risk assessment calculator.
After she scored 37.3, she was given an MRI scan which discovered the cancer.
Olivia said she was 'lucky' it was caught 'with enough time' that she had 'options'.
"I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day," she urged.
"Ask your doctor to calculate your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. Dr. Aliabadi says that If the number is greater than 20 percent, you need annual mammograms and breast MRIs starting at age 30."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Lucy Devine