Olivia Munn Shares Breast Cancer Journey at Startup Girl Foundation’s Women’s Forum

Actress Olivia Munn spoke candidly about navigating her breast cancer diagnosis at the Startup Girl Foundation’s Women’s Forum on Friday afternoon, reflecting on the emotional and physical challenges that reshaped her approach to adversity.

The forum, held at Loeb House, spotlighted female leadership across industries through panels and networking with prominent chief executive officers and professionals.

Later that evening, several honorees — including Olympic skier Eileen F. Gu and actress Lola M. Tung — were recognized at the Shiftmakers Gala at the Harvard Art Museums, hosted by The Shift.

The Startup Girl Foundation, a nonprofit investment organization founded at Harvard by Shilpa Yarlagadda ’22, supports companies focused on empowering women.

Speaking at the forum, Munn described her response to her diagnosis as immediate and resolute.

“When I was given a diagnosis, I just marched forward. I saw a mountain, and I didn’t stop,” she said. “I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t mull it over. I just did it — I walked right through my fear.”

Since going public, Munn has become an advocate for early detection, urging women to use the Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Calculator, an online tool that estimates breast cancer risk based on factors such as family and reproductive history.

Despite initially receiving negative results from genetic tests and ultrasounds, Munn said the calculator prompted doctors to recommend an MRI, which ultimately led to her diagnosis.

Her advocacy has had measurable impact: use of online risk assessment tools has risen by “4,000%” nationwide, according to Exact Sciences Chief Marketing Officer Jamie LaMantague.

The forum also featured oceanographer Sylvia A. Earle, the first female Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who emphasized persistence in environmental and ocean conservation efforts.

“Here we are moving into, I think, the most exciting time of all of our history,” she said. “Armed with knowledge, it’s not our last chance — it’s probably our best chance.”

She cautioned against the unchecked exploitation of natural resources, urging a shift in how societies define prosperity.

“We can make peace with nature instead of converting nature in whimsical ways to create what we think of as wealth,” Earle said.

Across panels, speakers encouraged resilience and initiative in professional spaces. Archna Sawjani, CEO of the Brand Creative Group, urged attendees to focus on problem-solving and impact.

“Every room, I solve a problem. I look to fix what needs to be fixed. So whatever the goal is, I try to help achieve that,” she said. “And if you do that in enough rooms, the word of mouth travels.”

Sawjani credited her mother, a refugee to the United Kingdom, with instilling her ability to navigate challenges and develop solutions.

Panelists also emphasized the importance of pursuing meaningful work and rejecting self-doubt.

“Women dim their light for so long for others. But, don't let fear stop you. Anything is possible, and you owe it to yourself to try,” Sawjani said.