Olivia Munn attributes her life to her breast cancer risk-assessment score.

Olivia Munn claims that her breast cancer risk-assessment score helped save her life.

This week, the actress, 43, revealed on social media that the score helped detect her breast cancer just months after she had a negative mammogram and tested negative on several genetic tests.

According to her Instagram post on Wednesday, Munn's high-risk score led her physician to order an MRI and ultrasound, which revealed cancer in both breasts.

"Due to my high score, I underwent an MRI, which resulted in an ultrasound, ultimately leading to a biopsy. The biopsy revealed that I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is a highly aggressive and rapidly progressing cancer."

What is the breast cancer risk assessment score?

The Gail Model, also known as the breast cancer risk assessment tool (BCRAT), is one of the most widely used risk assessment tools for patients and physicians.

The NCI states that the test, which takes approximately five minutes to complete, can predict a female's likelihood of developing an invasive breast cancer within the next five years and up to 90 years of age.

Several factors, including age, race, medical history, and reproductive history, are considered by the risk calculator tool.

The presence of a family history of breast cancer among first-degree relatives, such as mothers, sisters, and daughters, is also taken into account.

The information is then calculated.

According to Cleveland Clinic's website, a five-year risk score of 1.67% or higher is classified as high-risk, and healthcare providers may suggest specific medications to minimize the likelihood of cancer development.

Dr. Nicole Saphier, a board-certified breast imaging radiologist and associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, advises her referring clinicians and patients to undergo individual risk assessments.

According to Saphier, Olivia Munn's doctor likely saved her life by performing the procedure.

"An ultrasound or MRI may be necessary for women who are at higher risk of breast cancer, as a standard mammogram is not always sufficient."

Saphier noted that less than 5% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will have cancer in the opposite breast.

"Olivia Munn was one of those rare cases."

If a patient discovers through self-assessment that she has an increased risk of breast cancer, she should discuss this with her doctor, according to Dr. Ruth Oratz, a breast medical oncologist at NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City.

"If a family history of breast cancer exists, the patient may undergo genetic testing to determine their specific cancer risk. This information can also provide insight into the patient's risk of developing other types of cancer."

A breast cancer specialist informed Planet Chronicle Digital that the likelihood of cancer among women can fluctuate significantly.

According to Dr. Elisa Port, the risk of breast cancer for the average woman is approximately 10% to 12% at the lowest end of the spectrum.

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Women who do not carry genetic mutations may still have an increased risk of developing breast cancer due to other factors.

According to her Instagram post, Munn does not have the BRCA mutation gene.

Port stated that the main factors that increase the risk of breast cancer are having a family history of the disease on either the mother or father's side, having undergone previous breast biopsies, and if any of those biopsies revealed atypical cells.

Other factors that are of lower added risk include age at menstruation, the number of children a woman has had, and her age at first childbearing.

Potential limitations

There are some limitations to the BCRAT.

The NCI states that the tool is not precise in estimating the risk of breast cancer for women who have tested positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, have a history of invasive or in situ breast cancer, or belong to specific subgroups.

According to Oratz, if a woman is aware of having a BRCA or other genetic mutation, the breast cancer risk assessment is not entirely accurate.

"Discuss her cancer risk with her team of health care providers."

The NCI clarified that while the tool can predict a woman's likelihood of breast cancer, it does not definitively say whether she will ultimately get the disease.

The accuracy of risk estimates for American Indian/Alaska Native women may be compromised due to the limited data available for this demographic, which is partly based on data for White women.

Further studies are needed, according to the Institute.

For women with a genetic mutation, the risk of getting breast cancer can be as high as 60% to 80%.

Breast cancer specialists told Planet Chronicle Digital that while all risk assessment tools have limitations, they can still contribute to cancer prevention.

Port stated that these models can assist in identifying women with higher risk, enabling more customized and targeted screening.

Discussing risk assessment scores with a healthcare provider is crucial for women to determine the next steps, Oratz emphasized.

Women with high-risk genetic mutations should consult a breast cancer specialist for alternative options, the specialist recommended.

Controllable factors

Health experts advised Planet Chronicle Digital that based on individual risk levels, women can take specific steps to minimize the likelihood of developing breast cancer.

According to Oratz, it is crucial to maintain a healthy weight and avoid being overweight.

"Women should avoid drinking alcohol daily and limit their intake to one or two drinks on the days they do drink, according to Oratz. Alcohol is a significant risk factor for breast cancer."

Exercise and weight training can help maintain muscle mass and strength, which in turn contributes to overall health, according to the expert.

Discussing the use of medications to lower breast cancer risk with a healthcare provider is recommended, according to Oratz.

Cancer risk is not one size fits all, Saphier pointed out.

"Early diagnosis and intervention can increase the chances of survival and reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, but the risk never completely disappears," she stated.

"Olivia Munn has taken every possible action to ensure her son's growth."

Munn's son Malcolm was born in November 2021.

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