WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Actress Olivia Munn is going public after being diagnosed last year with an aggressive form of breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy.
Actress Olivia Munn co-starred in the HBO drama 'The Newsroom'.
She is now raising awareness about a breast cancer risk assessment tool that is saving lives.
Munn said she would not have found the cancer for at least another year if her doctor did not calculate her risk assessment score.
This is something doctors here at Novant Health said they've been doing for 20 years.
Doctor Judith Hopkins is the co-leader of Novant Health's breast cancer program.
She said all patients are offered a risk assessment who are getting a mammogram if they want it.
The score is based on a woman's family history, the results of a prior breast biopsy, and the age when a woman has her first period and first child.
"If they are interested, we will give them a risk calculation and if their risk calculation is elevated, we will give them a referral to our high-risk clinic where they will be counseled about their risk and offered risk-reducing either medication or lifestyle changes," said Hopkins.
Munn said that even though she tested negative for a genetic predisposition, the model showed she was still at an elevated risk, which is what led up to the early detection.
Hopkins said it is important for all women to understand their risks.
If you catch it in enough time, it gives you options.
Munn and Hopkins said they want that for any other woman in the same situation.
"I hope that Miss Munn's experience will lead more patients to undergo risk assessment and if they have a higher risk score, to undergo more screening with MRI in addition to mammograms, and perhaps more patients will undertake some of the medications that we have that can prevent risk," said Hopkins.
Hopkins said women should begin getting screened at the age of 40 and do it every year.