‘I’m done being insecure’: Olivia Munn bares mastectomy scars
Actor Olivia Munn has spoken about her decision to bare her mastectomy scars in the latest campaign for Skims.
On Wednesday, the underwear brand founded by Kim Kardashian revealed imagery starring Munn for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Speaking to the US Today show, Munn, 44, said she hadn’t initially planned to pose topless for the campaign. It was while changing outfits that a make-up artist told her it would be difficult to cover up the scars.
“And then I was looking in the mirror and I just thought, I’m done being insecure about my scars.”
Actor Olivia Munn stars in the latest campaign for underwear brand Skims.Credit: Skims
In March, Munn took to Instagram to reveal that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and had undergone four surgeries, including a double mastectomy.
Shortly after revealing her diagnosis, Munn told People that she “absolutely broke down” after seeing her body post-mastectomy.
“I feel like this is something I’ve been hiding for a long time now, and it just feels like I can breathe a little bit more,” Munn told Today of being photographed with her scars.
“Knowing there are so many women that have these same scars as me, I know that so many of them feel the same way I felt about them for so long,” she said.
Around one in seven Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and according to the RACGP, around 40 per cent will require or choose a mastectomy for treatment while 50 per cent will opt for a breast reconstruction if it is given.
Kirsten Pilatti, CEO of Breast Cancer Network Australia, says that “women who have scars post mastectomy or breast reconstruction can have body image issues or insecurities about their physical appearance as a result, and that’s why this kind of visibility is so important.”
Other celebrities have been vocal about their decision to undergo the procedure, including Angelina Jolie, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Kathy Bates and Australian presenter Sally Obermeder.
Despite the fact that greater awareness is being spread about the realities of living with breast cancer, images of women celebrating their post-mastectomy bodies can still face censorship. In 2019, for example, Facebook banned a campaign by Breast Cancer Network Australia featuring topless survivors.
“Any woman proudly showing her mastectomy scars really moves the dial for representation and starts important conversations,” says Pilatti.
Kerri Filler, chief operations manager for Cancer Chicks, a nationwide support network for young women impacted by cancer or chronic illness, praises this visibility.
“Any education, any exposure, anything that makes it a little bit normal is the best thing. And the more we talk about it, the more the younger generation are aware,” she said.
“So anybody that’s happy to do a campaign like this I think is fantastic.”
National Breast Cancer Foundation CEO, Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, says that “as with most surgeries, scars from a mastectomy are common. Scars and other changes to the breasts are not something to be ashamed of and some women choose to share their scars as a personal symbol of strength, resilience and courage.”
“Sharing a breast cancer journey can help raise awareness of breast cancer and importance of medical research, funded by organisations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in improving outcomes for people at risk of, or diagnosed with breast cancer.”
For more support and information, call BCNA’s free helpline on 1800 500 258, visit www.bcna.org.au or nbcf.org.au.
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