Actress Olivia Munn recently went public with her breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy, crediting Dr. Aliabadi as her “guardian angel.” Dr. Aliabadi participated in an email interview with E! News to talk about Munn’s news and breast cancer risk factors.
We’re excited to share this E! News article with you.
What You Need to Know About Olivia Munn’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis from E! News
Three days after her glamorous appearance at the Oscars, Olivia Munn shared that she was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 months ago.
Thirty days after the biopsy that confirmed her condition, she underwent a double mastectomy, according to the details she shared March 13 on Instagram.
Notably standing out in Munn’s story was how she was diagnosed in the first place: Two months after her routine mammogram came back normal.
In her post she credited her OB/GYN and “guardian angel” Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi for helping her catch the cancer “with enough time” that she had options when it came to treatment.
Aliabadi, a board-certified physician and host of the SHE MD Podcast, explained Munn’s diagnosis to E! News, as well as what patients can do to identify their risk factors for breast cancer, screening options and the never-ending importance of certain healthy lifestyle choices.
When is a mammogram not enough to detect the presence of breast cancer?
Munn shared she had a mammogram that came back normal about a year ago, but two months later—after her OB/GYN calculated her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment score—a subsequent MRI, followed by an ultrasound and then a biopsy confirmed she had cancer.
“In her case, there wasn’t a tangible lump, and the lesion was undetectable during the breast exam,” Aliabadi, who is also a breast cancer survivor, told E! News in an email interview. “It was only identified through MRI imaging.”
Munn also noted that, pre-diagnosis, she had tested negative for 90 different cancer genes, including BRCA, which has been linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. (Angelina Jolie cited her positive BRCA1 test as a factor in her choice to undergo a preventive double mastectomy in 2013.)
With Munn seemingly taking all the steps she could to protect herself already, it became even more important for her to share what ultimately led to her diagnosis.
“Unfortunately, today, many women are unaware of their risk,” Aliabadi said. “As a physician, I feel I don’t have a significant voice, but Olivia, my patient, does. By sharing her story, we hope to raise awareness about this crucial topic and hopefully save countless lives.”
What is the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment score?
The score “estimates a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer over a certain period based on various factors such as age, family history, reproductive history, and breast density,” Aliabadi explained.
Munn’s score/lifetime risk was 37 percent, which prompted her doctor to order the MRI.
According to Aliabadi, high-risk patients with a lifetime risk of 20 percent or higher will generally require more “intensive screening measures,” such as genetic testing (particularly if there’s a family history of breast cancer or other relevant factors), additional imaging (such as 3D mammography “for enhanced surveillance and early protection,” breast MRI or ultrasound) and possibly more frequent screening intervals or screenings starting at an earlier age than the typical recommendation of 40.
Patients and their physicians may also discuss “risk-reducing strategies such as chemoprevention (e.g., tamoxifen) or preventive surgery (e.g., mastectomy) for individuals at significantly elevated risk,” Aliabadi noted. Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor modulator given to women and men to prevent breast cancer.
“It’s important for patients with a high breast cancer risk assessment score,” Aliabadi continued, “to work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a personalized screening and management plan tailored to their individual circumstances and preferences.”
There are resources online to learn more, and the OB/GYN also noted the upcoming launch of her SHE MD life-assessment risk calculator to empower women with the information they need to start a conversation with their health care providers about the options that are right for them.
Why are mammograms still so important?
Aliabadi recommends that, starting at age 40, women at average risk should have annual mammograms to detect any abnormalities in the breast tissue.
“High-risk patients can start imaging as early as age 30 to ensure early detection and proactive management of any potential abnormalities,” Aliabadi said. “Individuals with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer may benefit from genetic counseling and testing to assess their risk.”
What can people do to lessen their risk of developing breast cancer?
You’ve heard it before, but…
Quit smoking.
“Smoking is linked to various types of cancer, including breast cancer,” Aliabadi noted. Other lifestyle habits to consider that may lower the risk of developing breast cancer, according to the doctor, include:
Staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight (being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer, especially after menopause); limiting alcohol consumption (no more than one drink a day, or eliminating altogether); eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and limiting intake of processed and red meats.
Knowing your family history is also important, Aliabadi advises, as is following the recommended guidelines for breast cancer screening because early detection can improve outcomes and survival rates.
And, if it’s an option, breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, the doctor noted.
Read the entire article by Natalie Finn.
Make Dr. Aliabadi your Los Angeles OB/GYN
A breast cancer survivor herself, Dr. Aliabadi is intimately familiar with how a diagnosis can turn your world upside down. Along with her warm, compassionate team, Dr. Aliabadi provides medical care and support to women in every stage of their lives, from routine exams to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. If you have questions or concerns about your breast cancer risk, we invite you to reach out to Dr. Aliabadi and her expert team.
In addition to employing the latest cancer screening and prevention techniques, all diagnostic testing, labs, and treatments are performed in her office.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
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