‘My cancer was found because doctor did the lifetime risk assessment test': Olivia Munn says mammogram couldn't detect Stage 1 breast cancer
When Hollywood actor Olivia Munn shared her breast cancer journey, it was a wake-up call for millions of women who rely on routine screenings like mammograms to feel safe.
Speaking in a deeply personal interview, Munn revealed that despite having a 'clear mammogram, clear ultrasound, and clear genetic testing', she was diagnosed with multifocal, multi-quadrant, bilateral stage one breast cancer.
'There's this one video I had of me and him (son), and I was laughing and we're playing, and I had had a clear mammogram just around that same time,' Munn said, reflecting on a poignant moment with her son.
So, how was her cancer detected? Through a lifetime risk assessment test—a simple, free online tool known as the Tyrer-Cuzick (or 'Tyreric') model, which evaluates breast cancer risk based on personal and family history.
'And the way that my cancer was found was because my doctor did the lifetime risk assessment test,' Munn explained. 'My doctor took it and she said, 'Your score is 37.3%. Anything above 20% is considered high risk.' She sent me to get an MRI. And after that, I was diagnosed.'
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To better understand how such a life-threatening condition could be missed despite all standard tests being normal, we spoke with Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
'Mammograms, while widely used for breast cancer screening, are not 100% foolproof,' Dr Malhotra explained. 'Their sensitivity is especially reduced in women with dense breast tissue, which is common among younger women and around 30% of Indian women over 45.'
Dense breast tissue can obscure potential tumours on a mammogram, making cancer more challenging to detect. This is why mammography is usually recommended after 45, when breast density typically decreases. Still, even post-45, mammograms are not infallible.
Dr Malhotra suggests a layered approach. While mammograms are a valuable first step, risk assessment tools like Munn's can flag high-risk individuals who might benefit from MRI scans, which offer higher sensitivity—especially useful when mammograms fail.
'This test has been around for a very long time. It's just not something people have heard about a lot,' Munn said. 'If every woman just knew that they could have their own score and take it to their doctor, it could change their life.'
Self-awareness is also vital. Self-breast examinations starting from age 25–30 and regular clinical breast exams every 6–12 months can help detect early signs, especially for women with dense breasts or those under 45.
Other future-forward methods, like liquid biopsy, which detects cancer via blood tests, are still under development but may become game-changers.
As Dr Malhotra reiterates, 'Until we have perfect tools, the best approach is personal vigilance, risk-based screening, and regular check-ups.'
So, if you've had a 'clear' mammogram, don't stop there—know your risk, ask questions, and take charge of your health. Because, as Olivia herself put it: 'I was doing everything I thought I had to do to take care of myself… and I still had cancer.'
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