Olivia Munn Says She’s Found ‘My Mission’ After Facing Breast Cancer: ‘This is What I Can Do in the World’ (Exclusive)

**Olivia Munn and Senator Mark Kelly Join Forces for Breast Cancer Awareness Legislation**

Actress Olivia Munn is collaborating with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly to introduce legislation aimed at increasing access to breast cancer risk assessments. This initiative comes after Munn’s own battle with breast cancer, which underscored the importance of early detection and comprehensive health evaluations.

Munn, who is 46 years old, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 1 bilateral invasive breast cancer after undergoing a routine risk assessment. Despite previous screening tests—including a standard mammogram and genetic testing that yielded no immediate concerns—Munn’s situation changed dramatically. Her doctor employed the Tyrer-Cuzick risk calculator, a tool assessing personal and family medical history to gauge breast cancer risk, which revealed a significant risk score of 37.3 per cent.

Reflecting on her experience, Munn shared how the strong support from close friends, including the senator and his wife, former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, bolstered her throughout her challenging health journey. “Gabby and Mark showed a lot of care and concern and gave me a lot of support during that time,” Munn commented, noting her deep appreciation for their friendship.

Senator Kelly has personal ties to breast cancer as well; both his mother and grandmother have faced the disease. Witnessing Munn’s resilience during her treatment inspired him to initiate a legislative effort that would standardise the conversation around breast cancer risk assessments. He approached Munn with an offer to create meaningful change through policy. “Would you like to make some lasting change?” he asked her, inviting her input and expertise in crafting the proposed legislation.

Their joint effort, titled the Know Your Risk Act, is intended to integrate risk assessment tools, such as the Tyrer-Cuzick calculator and the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT), into routine medical care. Kelly plans to introduce the bill in the Senate this November, and it aims to establish a task force dedicated to improving access to these essential tools, while also mandating studies on their effectiveness by health authorities.

Munn expressed the vital need for increased awareness and proactive measures regarding breast cancer screenings. She argues that risk assessment should become a staple part of every medical examination, just as routine checks for blood pressure and cholesterol are. “This is about addressing the gap between the information that’s available and what actually reaches patients,” she stated, stressing the importance of incorporating this assessment into standard healthcare practices.

Importantly, Munn’s own journey illustrates the potential of these assessments. She observed that her own mother benefited from the same risk tool, receiving treatment for breast cancer last year after also undergoing a risk assessment. “The lifetime risk assessment test is free, it’s online, and it’s been there for a really long time,” Munn highlighted, pointing out that simply having a resource available does not guarantee that women are aware of it or the steps to take.

Kelly remains optimistic about the bill’s passage, suggesting that the proposal is fundamentally non-controversial and stresses the urgency of implementing these changes. “There’s definitely a path to getting this passed, without a doubt. It’s not that controversial, nor should it be,” he asserted.

Munn’s experience and advocacy spotlight the critical importance of such legislation. “It’s a really light lift that we’re asking of people, but it’s something that is so impactful that could save so many people’s lives,” she remarked, emphasizing how her doctor was able to administer the risk assessment directly in her office through a straightforward set of questions.

In collaborating on this significant public health initiative, Munn and Kelly not only seek to honour their personal experiences with breast cancer but also aim to empower other individuals to be proactive about their health. Their commitment to advocating for routine risk assessments is a crucial step towards acknowledging and addressing breast cancer on a broader scale, ultimately aimed at saving lives through early detection and intervention.