Olivia Munn, 43, has confirmed that she has breast cancer.
The Predator actress confirmed the revelation on Instagram, revealing photographs of herself in the hospital and a lengthy message in which she stated that it might have easily been overlooked.
‘I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I hope by sharing this it will help others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey,’ she wrote in the caption.
The presenter and X-Men: Apocalypse actor said that she was diagnosed last spring after being tested for 90 different cancer genes, all of which came back negative.
Olivia, who attended the 96th Academy Awards and the luxurious Vanity Fair afterparty with husband John Mulaney on Sunday night, said that she had undergone four surgeries and had kept her diagnosis quiet for ten months.
This year, John presented at the Oscars, delivering the award for best sound with a very well-received skit about his affection for Kevin Costner’s 1989 movie Field of Dreams.
‘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),’ she began.
‘My sister Sara has just tested negative as well. We called each other an high-fived over the phone. That same winter I also had a normal mammogram.
‘Two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer.’
The star explained that alongside her four surgeries, she had had ‘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,’ she shared. ‘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.’
Poignantly, the star appeared to share one of those occasions on her social media, as she was comforted and prepared by her doctor ahead of surgery, who seemingly referenced John behind the camera as she told a tearful and anxious Olivia: ‘Do it for him, do it for your baby. This stuff [gesturing to chest] doesn’t matter. I swear to God, I have a patient who was like, “I would give a limb to be alive”.’
The actress, who delivered her son Malcom with John in November 2021, also revealed photos of her scans and her breasts being tagged up before of her double mastectomy.
Discussing how and why she had kept her health news private until now, Olivia continued: ‘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 get catch my breath and get through some of the hardest parts before sharing.’
The Newsroom actress then praised her doctor for deciding to ‘calculate my Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score’, otherwise she wouldn’t have found her cancer for another year, at her next scheduled mammogram.
‘The fact that she did saved my life,’ Olivia revealed.
‘Dr [Thaïs] Aliabadi looked at factors like my age, familial breast cancer history and and the fact that I had my first child after the age of 30. She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37%.’
The actress underwent an MRI, an ultrasound, and a biopsy, which indicated she 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.’
Despite the shock of her news, Olivia stated that she was ‘fortunate’ since her breast cancer was detected at a time when she still ‘had alternatives’.
‘I want the same for any woman who might have to face this one day,’ the mum-of-one wrote, as she urged women reading her post to get the same calculations done by a doctor.
‘Dr Aliabadi says that if the number is greater than 20%, you need annual mammograms and breast MRIs starting at age 30.’
Olivia went on to thank her family and friends for their support and ‘loving me through this’.
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‘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 he first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.’
One of those photographs was placed on her Instagram carousel, showing her hospital bed table with a syringe, tissues, and various ointments.
The former Daily Show correspondent also shared her gratitude for the support of friends who had gone through breast cancer and connected her with other people who had ‘for guiding me through some of my most uncertain and overwhelming moments’.
She also made sure to thank her medical team by name before signing off: ‘Thank you thank you thank you thank you…’
Olivia received an immediate outpouring of support in the Instagram comments section next to her post.
‘Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us. Malc and I adore you. ❤️,’ wrote John, while former Office star Mindy Kaling posted: ‘I love you. ❤’
‘Your experience is so powerful to share!’ responded Sex and the City actress Kristin Davis. ‘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 ♥️’
Matt Bomer added: ‘You are so strong Olivia! Grateful you found this early. Sending you love always.’
‘Thank you for sharing this! Wow❤❤❤❤❤🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌’ posted The Bing Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco, while Brooklyn Nine-Nine icon Terry Crews left a string of heart and fireball emoji.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
