Olivia Munn at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Olivia Munn Inspires Fans With Breast Cancer Diagnosis Story

Home / News / Olivia Munn Inspires Fans With Breast Cancer Diagnosis Story

By Afouda Bamidele on March 13, 2024 at 12:35 PM EDT
Updated on March 13, 2024 at 1:02 PM EDT

Actress Olivia Munn has opened up about her cancer diagnosis. 

Highlighting the intent to help others like her, the actress informed her 2.9 million followers that she underwent four surgeries over the last few months, including a double mastectomy. 

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Olivia Munn Announces Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis Following Double Mastectomy 

Olivia Munn attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards
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On Tuesday, Munn uploaded a ten-slide post that included multiple photos and one video of her in a hospital gown and room.

In between the shots, the 43-year-old issued a statement that detailed her grueling experience since she was diagnosed with cancer in February 2023.

According to her, the journey began after she proactively "took a genetic test that checks you for 90 different cancer genes" and "tested negative for all, including BRA (the most well-known breast cancer gene)."

However, two months after she "had a normal mammogram," she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She 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 ever could have imagined."

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Munn Says She Is 'Lucky' To Have 'Had Options'

Amid it all, Munn managed to keep "the diagnosis and the worry and the recovery and the pain medicine and the paper gowns private."

As it turned out, she would not have known about her condition until her "next scheduled mammogram" if not for her OBGYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi's decision to test her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score.

"She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37%. Because of that score, I was sent to get an MRI, which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy," Munn penned before stating that she underwent a double mastectomy a month later.

After noting that she was "lucky" to have caught the disease when she "had options," the "Ride Along 2" star expressed her gratitude to her family, friends, and medical staff for helping her through it.

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Fans Draw Inspiration From Olivia Munn's Candid Reveal

Olivia Munn
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In less than an hour after Munn shared the news alongside the words, "I hope by sharing this it will help others find comfort, inspiration, and support on their own journey," fans and celebrities have responded.

While Mindy Kaling effused her love for the mother-of-one, Munn's partner John Mulaney wrote, "Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us," and Ariel Winter expressed, "Sending you and your family love & healing vibes. You are so strong."

At the same time, a fan declared, "Always amazed by your resilience, strength, and courage. Thank you for sharing your story."

"Thank you for sharing and connecting with us on such a deep level. You are brilliant and have the perfect support system around you," another Instagram user stated, and a third fan commented:

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"Your strength is phenomenal. Thank you for sharing & giving us this inspiration."

Similarly, a fourth fan pointed out, "You probably saved more people than you know with this post and the information you put in it. You're incredibly strong to share this and we will be thinking and praying for you."

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It Took A Year After Childbirth For Munn To Feel 'Comfortable' Again

Munn's disclosure of her cancer diagnosis is not the first time she has opened up about a personal struggle. In July 2023, she told her fans about feeling like herself again following her "rough" postpartum journey.

As The Blast reported at the time, the "New Girl" alum, who welcomed her son, Malcolm Hiêp Mulaney, in 2021, wrote via her Instagram Story:

"I've been dreading getting dressed again. My baby is 19 months old, but postpartum was rough for me (a full year), and another six months waiting for my skin, hair, and body to return. I felt comfortable in my skin again."

The confession was accompanied by a reposted clip of her stunning in a black outfit, which she donned for the wedding of award-winning journalist Kelley L. Carter.

Olivia Munn & John Mulaney Stole The Show At Dwyane Wade’s Event

John Mulaney and Olivia Munn at Governors Awards 2024
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Later in 2023, Munn shared another proof of being fully comfortable in her skin when she and her man stepped out for Dwyane Wade's induction into the NBA Hall of Fame.

To that end, she displayed her impeccable style in a pale yellow silk dress, dangling earrings, a two-piece necklace, a dainty bracelet, and a diamond-studded gold ring.

Meanwhile, her partner stunned in a collarless white shirt, a black blazer, and dark gray wool trousers. Munn emphasized the swell time she and Mulaney had at the star-studded event, writing in the caption of an Instagram post:

"Had so much fun celebrating @dwyanewade’s induction into the Hall of Fame last night! Congrats D!"

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