Finding Milestone Moments After Battling Breast Cancer
- Actress Olivia Munn, 45, is embracing motherhood with her adorable 18-month-old daughter Mei and her four-year-old son after after battling hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, a disease she beat after having both her breasts removed, a hysterectomy, removing her uterus, as well as surgeries to remove her fallopian tubes and ovaries.
- Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer despite a “normal” mammogram and testing negative for the BRCA gene mutation, which elevates the risk for breast and ovarian cancer. At the request of her OBGYN, Munn underwent a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, which led to the discovery of her cancer after additional screening.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests women with average breast cancer risk begin screening mammograms once every two years at the age of 40. It’s important to note that women with the BRCA gene mutation, who have a family history of cancer, or have dense breasts are at higher risk and should talk with their doctor about when to begin screening. It may be younger than 40.
- It’s important to remember that survivorship, as seen in Munn’s case, is not a final destination but an ongoing journey. It begins at the moment of diagnosis and continues throughout a person’s life. This is why people often say that “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor”—a powerful idea that captures the courage and resilience required to face and live with a serious illness.
The mom of two, known for her acting roles in “X-Men: Apocalypse” and HBO’s “The Newsroom,” recently took to Instagram to share a video clip of her and her daughter sitting playfully on a bench outside.
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In the adorable clip, Munn looks to her camera, saying her daughter continuously prefers to keep her hair the same.
After Munn prompts Méi to say a few names—drawing adorable giggles from her—fans can hear the toddler say “mom” as she takes a few steps away, seemingly encouraging her to follow.
We love seeing Munn’s heartwarming posts of her family. Back in December, when her son turned four on November 24, she shared photos and videos of her kids enjoying life while on a beach vacation.
“We had the best time celebrating my little boy’s 4th birthday (Nov 24). He’s been asking for it to be a Ghostbusters theme ever since John showed him the movie and cartoons this past summer,” she wrote alongside the carousel of memories.
“I made the mistake of getting large inflatables of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and the Ecto-1 because after a long negotiation (which I lost) they came back home with us and are now fully inflated in our living room.”
She continued, “How lucky am I that I get to be Malcolm’s mom everyday for the rest of my life…”
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Last year, Munn also took to social media admitting, “going from 1 to 2 kids broke my brain.”
She explained, “The other day I took Malcolm to swim class 3 hours too early because I thought it was Wednesday but it was Friday.
“And even though I think it was pretty clever to write a note for John on a diaper when I locked myself out of the house that one time, I admit that carrying a tote bag of paper notes and reminders is no way to live. Please flood my comments with advice.”
Her post prompted someone to comment, “Never related to anything more!!!” while another said, “That is me! Does it have to be written? I have a shortcut to dictate from Siri to my to-do list and it’s helped me so much!”
Meanwhile, another fan commented, “You made me feel sooo much much better. Drowning here too!”
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Olivia Munn’s Breast Cancer Journey
Olivia Munn’s breast cancer diagnosis emerged despite receiving a “normal” mammogram and testing negative for the BRCA-gene mutation, which increases your risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
At the suggestion of her OBGYN, the actress underwent a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, which helps determine a woman’s probability of getting breast cancer. Her results called for additional screening, which revealed she had an aggressive form of cancer in both of her breasts.
“I wouldn’t have found my cancer for another year – at my next scheduled mammogram – except that my OBGYN…decided to calculate my Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. The fact that she did save my life,” Munn said in an Instagram post, shared in March 2024.
The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment she credits for catching her breast cancer is a “statistical model that allows healthcare professionals to calculate the probability of a woman developing breast cancer over the course of their lifetime,” Dr. Ruth Oratz, breast medical oncologist, NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center; clinical professor of medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine tells SurvivorNet.
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Munn underwent genetic testing to better understand her cancer risk. Genetic tests can be as simple as a simple saliva swab or blood sample. The results help your care team determine if you have a specific mutation that puts you at higher risk for cancer. The results help doctors tailor your treatment and are helpful for breast cancer patients.
“I tested negative for all (different cancer genes), including BRCA,” Munn said.
Expert Breast Cancer Resources
- Introduction to Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- What are the Treatment Options for Late-Stage Breast Cancer?
- For Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy, Women May Choose ‘Now,’ ‘Later,’ or ‘Never’
- 5 Things That Do Not Cause Breast Cancer, Because Facts Matter
- A New Treatment Combination Shows Promise For Hard-To-Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer — What New Data Means For Patients
- Do You Have HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer? Here’s A Breakdown Of Some Of Your Treatment Options
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are among the most important genes to look for in breast cancer. Together, they are responsible for about half of all hereditary breast cancers. These genes prevent cells from dividing haphazardly and uncontrollably in a person without mutations. Mutations prevent these genes from doing their job and can allow unchecked growth of breast, ovarian, and other tissues.
Two months after undergoing genetic testing, Munn was diagnosed with Luminal B breast cancer in both of her breasts.
According to research in “Breast Cancer,” luminal B tumors are of a “higher grade” and tend to have a worse prognosis. This type of breast cancer is estrogen-positive (ER), meaning it is fueled by the hormone estrogen. It can also be progestogen (PR) negative, meaning it is not fueled by progestogen. This type of breast also tends to have a higher expression of the Ki67 protein, making it grow quickly. Hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are often used to treat this type of cancer. Luminal is one of several types and is distinguished by its molecular makeup.
Finding the Support You Need
Olivia Munn is lucky to have her husband, children, and family by her side, but if you ever need support and aren’t sure where to turn, know that help is available. A social worker or life coach can guide you and connect you with community groups of people in similar situations, or you might lean on a trusted friend or mentor for guidance and encouragement.
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends’ circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet.
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“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional.”
Dr. Plutchik also stressed how important it is for people supporting cancer survivors to understand their emotions can vary day-to-day.
“People can have a range of emotions, they can include fear, anger, and these emotions tend to be fluid. They can recede and return based on where someone is in the process,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charmain Jackman, a licensed psychologist and founder of InnoPsych, echoes the benefits of positive mental health while facing a health diagnosis.
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“In the face of a life-threatening diagnosis, fear, hopelessness, and despair can quickly take space in your mind,” Dr. Jackman explained.
“However, your mindset is a superpower and can be a potent antidote to illness. Practicing gratitude, cultivating joy, and connecting to the community are practical ways to develop a resilient mindset.”
Laughter & Positivity Through Challenges
It’s interesting to note, that according to the National Library of Medicine, research has shown that the amount of pain medication needed for patients is reduced after they watch funny movies.
And perhaps laughter, like Munn makes sure to have in her life, with the help of her comedian husband and two children, could also help when someone is dealing with the pain that comes during or after a health challenge.
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The importance of positivity amid tough times has been seen through stand-up comedian Jesus Trejo in Long Beach, California.
Trejo became a caregiver for both of his parents after his mother was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and his father was later faced with colon cancer. But instead of panicking and focusing on the devastating nature of the situation, the only child stepped up to care for his parents with love and laughter.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Trejo opened up about how he put his career aside to care for his parents in their time of need while making time to smile along the way.
Stand-Up Comedian & Cancer Caregiver, Jesus Trejo Reminds Us That ‘Laughter is a Game-Changer’
“The only advice I have for anyone watching this is laugh, and laugh often, laugh at yourself. Don’t take yourself seriously. Things are already bad. Because once you do that, it’s a game-changer,””Trejo told SurvivorNet.
He also says the laughter itself might be brief, but “the effects of it just reverberate through your body, and can change an already bad situation into a better one.”
Focusing on hope, and maintaining a positive attitude amid a health battle can always be helpful.
What You Need to Know About Survivorship
Whether you’re beginning your journey into survivorship or are a seasoned survivor, you’ll quickly learn that it’s a term with many layers. At its simplest, ‘survivorship’ signifies the state of living beyond a challenging event or diagnosis, such as cancer. More specifically, it marks the period after treatment where a patient goes from merely surviving to thriving, as they navigate their newfound lease on life.
It’s important to remember that survivorship isn’t just an end state – it’s a continuous journey. It begins the moment a person is diagnosed with a significant health condition and continues throughout their life. You might hear people say things like, “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor.”
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It’s a powerful sentiment that reflects the courage and resilience involved in battling a serious illness.
Being a survivor also means redefining your life while coping with the aftermath of disease and its treatment. This phase might include the challenge of dealing with physical and emotional changes, attending regular check-ups, the fear of recurrence, or the need for long-term medication. Despite these hurdles, many survivors find unique strength, growth, and transformation during this time.
Survivorship is much more than just the absence of disease—it’s a new stage of life, a rite of passage. Your journey might not have been one you would have chosen, but through it, you’ll uncover a greater understanding of yourself and what you’re capable of. Each person’s survivorship journey is unique, and how you choose to travel is entirely up to you.
Remember—navigating this new terrain called ‘Survivorship’. It might be challenging, but remember, you’re not alone. There are ample resources and support systems designed to help you along the way.
Continued Medical Care
Don’t lose sight of the importance of continued medical care – always keep your follow-up appointments and adhere to any healthcare recommendations.
Remember, embracing these coping strategies can help you navigate your way into survivorship with greater ease and renewed energy. Just remember – slow and steady wins the race! You’ve overcome huge hurdles, it’s okay to take this new stage of your life at your own pace.
Resilient learning to overcome any obstacle
Additionally, health checkups are an integral part of maintaining wellness and spotting potential health issues early. This holds true for everyone, but even more so for a person who’s in the throes of survivorship.
One of the main reasons you’ll want to maintain routine health checks is to monitor for recurrence. While the hope is always for complete recovery, there’s a possibility of the disease returning—even with successful treatment. Regular checkups allow you to keep a vigilant eye on the situation, leading to early detection and treatment if any problem emerges.
Screening For Breast Cancer
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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