The number of maternal deaths previously reported by the CDC may be inaccurately rising, a study recently revealed.

Flawed or imperfect record-keeping could be the culprit for what seems to be a spiking rate of maternal deaths across the U.S.

Maternal death is defined as “the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and the site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes,” according to the World Health Organization.

Common causes of maternal mortality include excessive bleeding, infection, heart disease, suicide and drug overdose.

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A study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that one checkbox on death certificates may have been misused. Deaths recorded that included at least one mention of pregnancy were analyzed. Data was collected from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) from the time periods of 1999 to 2002 and 2018 to 2021 and was examined by researchers.

Specifically, researchers looked into the death certificates of women who were pregnant at or around the time of their deaths. The compared findings between these years were conclusive to “stable” deaths “at just over 10 per 100,000 live births,” according to Axios.

However, the report from the CDC recorded that there was an uptick in maternal mortality rates per live births from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, the CDC presented 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, 20.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2019 and 23.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2020.

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The requirements for using the checkbox changed in 2018, constraining only deaths in women ages 15 to 44 to be included. Though the deceased shown in the report still include accidental deaths, like car accidents, versus being limited to what is categorized by the WHO as maternal deaths.

And though maternal deaths may not be spiking as previously recorded by the CDC, they are a very serious public health concern across the U.S.

In 2023, Black mothers died at the nation’s highest rate, according to a study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association. In Arkansas, in 2021, a state report showed that Black women are twice as likely to experience maternal mortality than white women.

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The NCHS this week concluded that the cause of death in non-Hispanic Black women was more due to ectopic pregnancy, cardiovascular conditions and kidney and other diseases, according to Axios.

An increase in maternal death among non-Hispanic White women increased, though the report showed that fatal cardiomyopathy and other causes of death were disproportionately more common among non-Hispanic Black women.

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Olivia Munn claims that her breast cancer risk-assessment score helped save her life.

The actress, 43, shared on social media this week that the score helped detect her breast cancer just months after she had a negative mammogram and tested negative on several genetic tests. 

The high-risk score prompted Munn’s physician to send her for further evaluations — including an MRI and ultrasound that detected cancer in both breasts, according to her Instagram post on Wednesday.

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“She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37%,” Munn wrote. 

“Because of that score, I was sent to get an MRI, which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy. The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast-moving cancer.”

What is the breast cancer risk assessment score?

While there are several risk assessment tools available to patients and physicians, the breast cancer risk assessment tool (BCRAT), also known as the Gail Model, is one of the most common.

The test, which takes about five minutes to complete, helps predict a female’s risk of developing an invasive breast cancer within the next five years and up to 90 years of age, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

BCRAT calculates the woman’s “absolute breast cancer risk,” which the organization defines on its website as the “chance or probability of developing invasive breast cancer in a defined age interval.”

The risk calculator tool looks at several factors, including age, race, medical history and reproductive history.

It also looks at the presence of a family history of breast cancer among first-degree relatives, such as mothers, sisters and daughters.

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The information is then calculated. 

A five-year risk score of 1.67% or more is considered high-risk, and a health care provider may recommend certain medications to decrease the chances of developing cancer, according to Cleveland Clinic’s website.

Dr. Nicole Saphier, M.D., board-certified breast imaging radiologist and associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, recommends individual risk assessments to her referring clinicians and patients.

“Olivia Munn’s doctor may have saved her life by doing so,” Saphier said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

Dr. Nicole Saphier, M.D., board-certified breast imaging radiologist and associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, said she recommends individual risk assessments to her referring clinicians and patients. (Fox News)

“While a standard mammogram is sufficient for nearly half of all women, many others will benefit from adding an ultrasound or MRI based on breast density and various other factors that may make someone higher risk.”

Less than 5% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer will have cancer in the contralateral (opposite) breast, Saphier pointed out.

“Olivia Munn was one of those rare cases.”

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Dr. Ruth Oratz, a breast medical oncologist at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City, told Fox News Digital that if a patient uses the risk assessment herself and finds that she is at increased risk of breast cancer, she should discuss this with her physician.

“The doctor can then do a more detailed evaluation as to her breast cancer risk,” Oratz said. 

“For example, if there is a family history of breast cancer, then the patient may be referred for genetic testing. This information may give a more specific evaluation of the patient’s risk of breast, or even other types, of cancer.” 

Less than 5% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer will have cancer in the contralateral (opposite) breast — which means Olivia Munn’s case was rare, a doctor noted. (Instagram: Olivia Munn)

Another breast cancer specialist told Fox News Digital that the risk of cancer could vary widely among women.

The average woman’s risk is approximately 10% to 12% at the lowest end of the spectrum, according to Dr. Elisa Port, chair of breast surgery for The Mount Sinai Health System and director of the Dubin Breast Center in New York City.

“By contrast, the highest identifiable risk is associated with BRCA mutation carriers,” she told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

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“For them, the risk of getting breast cancer can be as high as 60% to 80%.”

She added, “Women who are not genetic mutation carriers might still be at increased risk of getting breast cancer based on a variety of other factors.”

Munn tested negative for the BRCA mutation gene, according to her Instagram post.

“While a standard mammogram is sufficient for nearly half of all women, many others will benefit from adding an ultrasound or MRI based on breast density and various other factors that may make someone higher risk,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“The largest drivers of increased risk include having a family history of breast cancer on either a mother or father’s side, having previous breast biopsies, and importantly, if any of those biopsies showed findings of atypical cells,” Port said. 

Other factors that are of lower added risk include age at onset of menstruation, the number of children a woman has had, and her age at first childbearing. 

Potential limitations

There are some limitations to the BCRAT.

The tool is not accurate when it comes to estimating the risk in women who tested positive for the breast cancer-producing mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, those with a history of invasive or in situ breast cancer (in the milk ducts), and certain subgroups, according to the NCI.

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“If a woman knows she has a BRCA or other genetic mutation, then the breast cancer risk assessment is not really accurate,” Oratz said in her statement to Fox News Digital.

“She should then discuss her cancer risk with her team of health care providers.”

Although this tool may accurately estimate a woman’s chances of breast cancer, it does not determine whether she will actually develop the disease, the NCI stated.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. (iStock)

BCRAT also underestimates risk in Black women who had previous biopsies and Hispanic women born outside the United States, the organization noted. 

Risk estimates for American Indian/Alaska Native women are partly based on data for White women due to limited data for this demographic and may be inaccurate. 

Further studies are needed, according to the Institute.

For women with a genetic mutation, the risk of getting breast cancer can be as high as 60% to 80%.

While all risk assessment tools have limitations, they can still play a role in cancer prevention, breast cancer specialists told Fox News Digital.

“These models can help identify women at increased risk, allowing for more personalized and tailored screening,” Port said.

It is important for women to discuss risk assessment scores with a health care provider to determine next steps, Oratz added. 

A five-year risk score of 1.67% or more is considered high-risk, and a health care provider may recommend certain medications to decrease the chances of developing cancer, according to Cleveland Clinic’s website. (iStock)

“If someone is at significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer, then she should review with her doctor consideration of recommendations for increased screening and surveillance,” she said. 

For women with genetic mutations that are very high risk, they should see a breast cancer specialist to discuss other options, she recommended.

Controllable factors 

Depending on individual risk levels, there are steps a woman can take to help lower the possibility of developing breast cancer, health experts told Fox News Digital.

Eating a healthy diet and staying active can help reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer, experts agreed. (iStock)

“It is important to have a healthy body weight and not be overweight,” Oratz said.

It is also important to eat a healthy diet that limits sugar, fat and alcohol. 

“Alcohol is a significant risk factor for breast cancer,” Oratz noted. “We recommend that women do not drink alcohol every day and have not more than one or two drinks on the days that they do drink.”

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“Remaining physically fit with exercise and some weight training to maintain muscle mass and strength also contributes to general overall health,” the expert added. 

In some cases, medications may help lower the risk of breast cancer, but individuals should discuss this with their health care provider, according to Oratz.

In some cases, medications may help lower the risk of breast cancer, but each individual should discuss this with a health care provider, an expert said. (iStock)

When it comes to assessing the risk of developing breast cancer, risk assessment scores can help health care providers come up with a plan for monitoring, diagnosis and early treatment, according to Cleveland Clinic’s website.

Cancer risk is not one size fits all, Saphier pointed out. 

“Even though one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, there are many different types of breast cancer and they can occur at just about any age,” she said.

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“After a breast cancer diagnosis, the risk of it returning never goes to zero, but early diagnosis and intervention give the option for less invasive treatments and the best chance of survival,” she said.

“In Olivia Munn’s case, she has taken every action possible to see her son grow up.”

Munn’s son Malcolm was born in November 2021. 

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As some doctors say, “If you look, you will find.”

In August 2023, Mary Ann Waldron, a healthy Arizona woman, decided to undergo an elective MRI full-body scan at a SimonMed Imaging facility, never expecting to find anything serious.

She was shocked when the scan detected a large aneurysm in her pancreas area, ultimately saving her life.

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Today, a strong proponent of full-body scans as a preventative measure, Waldron is eager to share her story as a cautionary tale for others.

“I believe we each need to take responsibility for our health,” she told Fox News Digital. “I’m more than 70 years old, and despite being asymptomatic, I wanted to learn if I had any early-stage cancers.”

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, also recognizes the benefits of full-body MRI scans.

“Full-body scanning, mainly through MRI, presents a significant advancement in modern medicine’s diagnostic capabilities,” he told Fox News Digital. (He was not involved in Waldron’s care.) 

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“MRI technology allows for a comprehensive, noninvasive examination of the body to detect a wide range of conditions, including cancer and vascular malformations like aneurysms, without the need for potentially harmful X-rays, as is the case with CT scans.”

Life-saving discovery

The results of Waldron’s scan indicated that there “may be an aneurysm.” A follow-up CT scan of her abdomen and pancreas was then recommended.

“If in fact I had an aneurysm, then this was life-threatening, as death is imminent when an aneurysm bursts, unless the person is already in an operating suite,” said Waldron.

“Full-body scanning, mainly through MRI, presents a significant advancement in modern medicine’s diagnostic capabilities,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (SimonMed)

Dr. Barry Sadegi, SimonMed’s chief medical officer in Scottsdale, Arizona, emphasized the danger of Waldron’s condition.

“Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms are extremely rare, representing only 2% of all splanchnic (abdominal organ) aneurysms,” he told Fox News Digital.

“The majority (64%) of patients who seek treatment present after the aneurysm has ruptured.”

Aneurysm rupture can be life-threatening, Sadegi confirmed, as it results in abdominal bleeding.

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In many cases, there are no symptoms of an aneurysm, which was the case for Waldron.

“And because I had no prior imaging studies of this area for comparison, there was no way to know how long this aneurysm had been present or for how much longer it would exist before bursting,” she added.

Once doctors confirmed that Waldron had an aneurysm, she was referred to a vascular surgeon, who determined that she would need immediate surgery.

Because the MRI scans don’t use ionizing radiation, the test itself is safe, said Sadegi of SimonMed, although the test does have some indirect risks and limitations. (iStock)

“We scheduled the procedure and were advised to drive from Sedona to Chicago, as the risk of flying with changes in pressure was dangerous,” she said. “The size and location of my aneurysm was unusually large and uncommon.”

Waldron underwent an angiogram of the mesenteric artery (a major artery of the abdomen). The surgeon performed an embolization of the aneurysm, placing several titanium wires to block the artery and close off the sac of the aneurysm, preventing further blood flow and bursting. 

Today, Waldron is feeling healthy and is back to her regular routines.

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“It is now necessary for me to take daily blood thinners, which make me susceptible to bruising, but other than that I am feeling well,” she told Fox News Digital.

“I have resumed my usual activities of golf, swimming and walking.”

Waldron will continue to see her doctor every six months for the next couple of years for ultrasounds of the stented area.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, said he recognizes the benefits of full-body MRI scans. (Dr. Brett Osborn)

“This was a truly life-saving surgery,” she said. 

“Generally, early detection enables early intervention, which provides the best opportunity for successful resolution. In my case, the detection was not early in the formation of the aneurysm, but was early enough to correct it.”

She added, “I believe these scans can detect abnormalities at an early stage, helping us prolong our lives — and certainly the quality of our lives.”

Focus on preventative health care

The majority of the U.S. health care system is reactive rather than proactive, Sadegi stated — “more focused on treating illness after it develops rather than preventing it.”

The scan, he said, is a means of empowering patients who want to take an active role in their disease prevention.

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“Although the American College of Radiology does not currently recommend MRI whole-body screening for the general population, many SimonONE patients have similar stories in which the scan resulted in very positive health outcomes,” he said.

“As consumer interest in preventive care soars — and people want to live longer, healthier lives — it may be the driver of change.”

Some of the conditions that SimonMed’s scans have discovered have included other aneurysms, severe arterial stenoses in the neck and head, and masses in the brain, pituitary gland, neck, thyroid, mediastinum, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, lymph nodes, bladder, endometrium and prostate gland, said Sadegi.

Potential risks and limitations

Because the MRI scans don’t use ionizing radiation, Sadegi said the test itself is low-risk.

There is the risk of overdiagnosis, however, as Osborn noted.

“This is where benign conditions are detected and treated unnecessarily, leading to undue stress, further testing, and potentially unnecessary interventions and their inevitable complications,” he told Fox News Digital.

Full-body MRIs are not ideal for screenings for breast cancer, which is best detected by mammography and MRI, experts said. (iStock)

“These studies are imperfect,” he told Fox News Digital. “Is the patient ready to deal with a positive finding? Often, it’s unclear whether a lesion is benign or malignant. And then what? Are these studies worth the ‘risk’ at this point?”

He added, “I defer to my patients and allow them to make an informed decision. To me, however, the benefits far outweigh the risks.”

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In Waldron’s case, she was OK with the risks.

“Because there can be false positives, one may argue that there is unnecessary expense in the whole-body scan and unnecessary radiation in the follow-up studies that confirm there are no issues,” she said.

“I defer to my patients and allow them to make an informed decision. To me, however, the benefits far outweigh the risks.”

“But this, in my opinion, is a minor trade-off for the peace of mind one achieves either knowing all is well or knowing what needs to be addressed.”

This type of scan also has some limitations.

It does not screen for blood-borne tumors, such as leukemia, or for skin tumors, such as melanoma or basal cell carcinoma, according to Sadegi. It also might not detect smaller nodules in the lungs.

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The scan is also not ideal for detecting musculoskeletal conditions involving bones or joints.

Sadegi said it cannot replace colonoscopies for colon or rectal screenings; and mammography and MRI of the breasts are more sensitive for breast cancer.

Barriers to care

Right now, given the associated costs, most insurance carriers do not cover a full-body MRI, Osborn pointed out.

“These scans can detect abnormalities at an early stage, helping us prolong our lives and certainly the quality of our lives,” said one patient.  (iStock)

“The numbers don’t make sense to them,” he said. “It’s simply a matter of dollars and cents. Many scans, at significant cost, would have to be performed to save one life … This is the ‘business’ of medicine and one of the main reasons why, historically speaking, insurance companies have not embraced preventive care.”

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That could change in the future, he said.

“As consumer interest in preventive care soars — and people want to live longer, healthier lives — it may be the driver of change.”

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