Actress Olivia Munn has shared how a breast cancer risk assessment test not only saved her life but also detected cancer in her mother, demonstrating its potential to save multiple lives. Munn, 45, announced on social media that the test identified her mother’s breast cancer, adding to the growing recognition of its life-saving capabilities.
The test, known as the BCRAT (Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool), is based on the statistical model developed by Dr. Mitchell Gail, an NIH investigator at the National Cancer Institute. This tool helps predict a woman’s risk of developing invasive breast cancer within five years and up to the age of 90. The BCRAT considers factors such as age, race, medical history, reproductive history, and family history of breast cancer among relatives like mothers, sisters, and daughters.
Munn’s own diagnosis, which led her to seek further testing, uncovered aggressive Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Her experience highlights the critical role of early detection in improving cancer outcomes. The BCRAT’s ability to identify high-risk individuals, with a five-year risk score of 1.67% or more, has sparked discussions about its potential to guide preventive interventions and personalized healthcare strategies.
Experts like Dr. Nicole Saphier, a breast imaging radiologist, have emphasized the importance of individual risk assessments, particularly for women with a higher risk profile. Saphier noted that while standard mammograms are sufficient for many women, additional testing such as ultrasound or MRI may be necessary for those at greater risk, based on factors like breast density and family history. Munn’s case, being one of the rare instances of cancer in both breasts, underscores the significance of these advanced detection methods in breast cancer screening.