Actress Olivia Munn, 43, has recently shared her private battle with breast cancer, revealing that she has undergone a double mastectomy and multiple surgeries over the past 10 months. In a candid Instagram post on Wednesday, Munn opened up about her diagnosis and the challenges she faced during her treatment and recovery.
Munn's journey began in February 2023 when she decided to be proactive about her health and took a genetic test to check for 90 different types of cancer. Despite testing negative for the well-known breast cancer gene, BRCA, Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer two months later.
"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," Munn wrote. "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."
Munn's diagnosis was made possible by her OB/GYN's decision to calculate her breast cancer risk assessment score, which determined that her lifetime risk was 37% based on factors such as her age and family history. This led to further tests, including an MRI, ultrasound, and biopsy, which revealed that Munn had Luminal B cancer, an aggressive and fast-moving type, in both breasts.
"30 days after my biopsy I had a double mastectomy," Munn shared. "I went from feeling completely fine one day, to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next."
Throughout her ordeal, Munn has undergone four surgeries and spent countless days in bed recovering. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for catching the cancer early enough to have treatment options. "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," she wrote.
Munn's Instagram post included photos and videos of her in hospital beds, with a framed picture of her partner, comedian John Mulaney, and their two-year-old son, Malcolm, next to her. She thanked Mulaney for his support, researching her treatments and side effects, and always being there before and after her surgeries.
The actress, known for her roles in "The Newsroom," "X-Men: Apocalypse," and "Magic Mike," received an outpouring of love and support from fans and fellow celebrities after sharing her diagnosis. Mulaney commented on her post, "Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us. Malc and I adore you."
Munn's OB/GYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, also praised her for her bravery, stating, "You are my hero. Your post will save so many lives. I love you so much."
In sharing her story, Munn hopes to help others find comfort, inspiration, and support on their own journeys. She urged her followers to ask their doctors to calculate their breast cancer risk assessment score, emphasizing that her OB/GYN's decision to do so "saved my life."
While Munn did not disclose whether she is currently cancer-free or in remission, her message of early detection and the importance of being proactive about one's health resonates with many. As she continues to navigate her recovery, Munn's openness and vulnerability serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience of those facing breast cancer and the power of sharing one's story to inspire and support others.
