Olivia Munn, sharing on Instagram, disclosed that she underwent a double mastectomy last year due to an aggressive and fast-moving form of breast cancer. Despite considering herself “lucky” to have narrowly avoided a missed diagnosis, she stressed the importance of genetic testing, particularly for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which elevate the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Taking a proactive approach to her health, Munn underwent genetic testing in February 2023 to screen for 90 cancer-related genes, all of which yielded negative results for her and her sister Sara. She highlighted the significance of her OB/GYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, who recommended the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT), also known as the Gail Model. This tool, assessing various factors including age and familial history of breast cancer, estimated her lifetime risk at 37%, prompting further diagnostic measures that ultimately led to her cancer diagnosis, despite a normal mammogram just two months prior.
Munn’s cancer, identified as luminal B subtype, was considered treatable with chemotherapy and HER2 hormone therapy. Grateful for early detection, she underwent a double mastectomy shortly after diagnosis, followed by multiple surgeries over the past ten months. Despite the challenges, Munn chose to keep her diagnosis private until she felt ready to share her journey after navigating through some of its most difficult phases.
What is the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool?
While the tool is accessible to anyone online through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it’s intended for health care professionals. The assessment includes factors such as:
Your age at the time of your first menstrual period
If you have children, your age at the time you gave birth to your firstborn
How many of your first-degree relatives—mother, sisters, daughters—have had breast cancer
Your race and ethnicity
“Ask your doctor to calculate your Breast Cancer Assessment Score,” Munn said. “Dr. Aliabadi says that if the number is greater than 20%, you need annual mammograms and breast MRIs starting at age 30.”
The BCRAT, however, has a number of limitations. For example, it isn’t intended for use in women who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Data on American Indian and Alaskan Native women are limited, meaning estimates for these populations may be inaccurate. The NCI also stresses the assessment may underestimate risk for Black women with previous biopsies, and Hispanic women born outside the U.S.
Consult your doctor about whether the BCRAT may adequately assess your risk of breast cancer.
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