Hollywood actor Olivia Munn took to Instagram to reveal her early diagnosis with breast cancer and how an easy 5-minute assessment helped save her life.
“I wouldn’t have found my cancer for another year—at my next scheduled mammogram—except that my OBGYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, decided to calculate my Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. The fact that she did saved my life,” Munn said in a statement.
The 43-year-old shared that her doctor looked at factors like her age, familial breast cancer history, and the fact that she had her first child after the age of 30 and found that her lifetime risk was at 37%.
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"Because of that score, I was sent to get an MRI, which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy. The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast-moving cancer,” she added.
Munn revealed that 30 days after that biopsy, she had a double mastectomy.
While the actor feels lucky to have detected the cancer early, by sharing her experience, she hopes to help others who may face the same.
Also Read: Rare, But Men Can Also Develop Breast Cancer: Expert Shares Who Is At Risk And Warning Signs
What Is A Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool?
The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT) is a method to predict a person's risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. Also known as the Gail Model, named after Dr. Mitchell Gail, the assessment questionnaire was first released in 1989 by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Health data from the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP) and from the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, were used to build and develop the tool.
The model uses a woman's personal information to predict her risk of developing breast cancer. Some of the criteria include:
- Age
- Age at the start of menstruation
- Age at first live birth of a child
- Number of first-degree relatives (mother, sisters, daughters) with breast cancer
- Number of previous breast biopsies (whether positive or negative)
- Presence of atypical hyperplasia in a biopsy
While the BCRAT has shown promising outcomes, it may be less accurate for black or African American women. As per the NCI, the model requires "further validation for Hispanic women and other subgroups." Therefore, researchers are still working towards gathering more data.
Addressing Risk Factors And Taking Necessary Measures
There are several factors that may put women at a greater risk of breast cancer. These include:
Age: Breast cancer risk increases with age and is more prevalent in women after age 50.
Genetic mutations: Women who have inherited mutations to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Also Read: Hereditary Breast Cancer: Expert Explains Its Risk and Management
Dense breasts: Women with high-density breasts are 4-6 times more likely to get breast cancer than people with the least dense breasts.
Reproductive history: Women who start menstruating at age 12 and have menopause after age 55 are at an elevated risk of getting breast cancer.
History of breast cancer: Women who have a personal history of breast cancer or who have had the disease earlier are at a greater risk.
Family history: Women who have had mothers, sisters, and daughters with breast cancer have a higher likelihood of developing the disease.
Taking proactive steps like getting regular breast cancer screening or performing frequent self-breast examinations can help in early diagnosis and successful treatments.
It is also important to be physically active, eat a balanced diet, and maintain a healthy weight. Moreover, limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can also reduce your risk of developing the disease.
Women who have their first pregnancy after age 30, do not breastfeed, and never have a full-term pregnancy should also be more watchful, as they can be at a higher risk of breast cancer.