Hollywood actress Olivia Munn has revealed she has undergone surgery and treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
The 43-year-old shared a post on social media alongside photos and video clips taken in hospital, telling her followers: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I hope by sharing this it will help others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey.”
In a longer statement, Munn went into detail about her diagnosis and treatment, saying she had been through four operations, including a double mastectomy, and “so many days spent in bed I can’t even count”.
However, she said early diagnosis of Luminal B cancer – “an aggressive, fast moving cancer” – in both breasts, had saved her life.
Munn, who attended the Oscars at the weekend with her partner, comedian John Mulaney, said in her statement that she had taken a genetic test for cancer genes in February 2023, but the results were negative for all.
She also had a clear routine mammogram – but was diagnosed with breast cancer two months later.
“I’m lucky,” she wrote. “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.”
The star, who is known for series including The Daily Show and The Newsroom, as well as X-Men: Apocolypse, said she had only cried twice since being diagnosed 10 months ago.
“I guess I haven’t felt there was time to cry,” she said. “My focus narrowed and I tabled any emotions that I felt would interfere with my ability to stay clearheaded.”
The actress said she had kept the details private until now as “I needed to catch my breath and get through some of the hardest parts before sharing”.
Munn said she had been saved by her doctor deciding to check her risk of getting breast cancer, which meant the disease was discovered much earlier than it would have been had she waited for her next routine assessment.
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She finished by thanking medics who have looked after her, as well as friends and family “for loving me through this”, and Mulaney for his support and research, and “always placing framed photos of our little boy Malcolm so it would be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes”.
Munn added: “Thank you to the friends who’ve had breast cancer and the friends who connected me to friends who’ve had breast cancer for guiding me through some of my most uncertain and overwhelming moments.”
Mulaney was one of the thousands of people reacting to her post, replying: “Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us. Malc and I adore you.”
