In this special live episode of the SHE MD Podcast, Olivia Munn joins Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, Mary Alice Haney, Dr. Shari Goldfarb, and Kristen Dahlgren, for a powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month panel in New York City. The event coincided with NBC’s Today Show coverage and the lighting of the Empire State Building in pink — marking the launch of a national conversation around early detection, AI, and prevention.
Together, they explore how lifetime risk assessments, dense breast screening, and AI mammogram prediction tools like Clarity Breast are transforming breast health. The panel also discusses cancer vaccine research, genetic testing, and the importance of women knowing their individual risk scores.
Listeners will hear Olivia’s personal story of early detection after a high-risk score prompted further imaging, leading to her diagnosis and recovery. This episode offers clarity, action, and hope — empowering every listener to become their own health advocate and partner with their medical team.
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What You’ll Learn
How lifetime risk assessment tools can identify breast cancer risk before symptoms appear
Why dense breast tissue requires supplemental screening beyond mammograms
How AI predictive tools like Clarity Breast are revolutionizing early detection
The promise of vaccine research and genetic testing in future breast cancer prevention
Key Timestamps
(00:00) Live event intro and Breast Cancer Awareness Month context
(03:30) Olivia’s story: risk score, MRI findings, and early diagnosis
(13:00) Dr. Aliabadi and Dr. Goldfarb on dense breast screening and AI tools
(16:00) Cancer vaccine and immunotherapy discussion with Kristen Dahlgren
(27:00) Genetic testing and family history: understanding your risk
(34:00) Audience Q&A: emotional recovery and advocacy
(42:00) Is there support for young women being diagnosed with breast cancer?
(51:30) Clarifying the term Risk Assessment
Key Takeaways
Every woman should know her lifetime breast cancer risk score
Dense breasts may obscure cancers — MRI and ultrasound can save lives
AI mammogram tools are changing detection from reactive to predictive
Research into cancer vaccines offers hope for prevention and recurrence reduction
Advocacy and awareness remain key — early action leads to better outcomes
Guest Bios
Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn is an actress, health advocate, and breast cancer survivor. After receiving a high lifetime risk assessment score, she underwent further imaging that revealed cancer across multiple quadrants, leading to a bilateral mastectomy. Since publicly sharing her diagnosis in 2024, she has dedicated her platform toward raising awareness about early detection, risk assessment, and empowering women with knowledge about their breast health.
Dr. Shari Goldfarb, MD
Dr. Shari Goldfarb is a breast medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, with a clinical focus on early and advanced breast cancer. Her research centers on survivorship, symptom management, fertility, sexual health, and quality of life for breast cancer patients. She participates in clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes for women during and after treatment.
Kristen Dahlgren
Kristen Dahlgren is a former NBC correspondent who, after her own stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis, left journalism to found the Cancer Vaccine Coalition. She collaborates with top cancer centers to accelerate immunotherapy and vaccine development in breast cancer and advocates for preventive strategies beyond current standards.
Links
Olivia Munn – https://www.instagram.com/oliviamunn
Dr. Shari Goldfarb – https://www.mskcc.org/profile/shari-goldfarb
Kristen Dahlgren – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-dahlgren-886519292/
Donna McKay – https://www.bcrf.org/team
Resources Mentioned
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
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