Olivia Munn on battling breast cancer as a mom of 2: ‘A lot of guilt’

The past two years have been an emotional roller coaster for actress Olivia Munn. From the lows of battling an aggressive form of breast cancer to the highs of marrying comedian John Mulaney and welcoming their second child via gestational surrogate, Munn has faced challenges that have tested her strength and resilience. But through it all, there’s one struggle she has opened up about: the overwhelming pressure of trying to manage a serious illness while being present for her children.

In an interview with Savannah Guthrie on NBC, Munn got candid about balancing cancer treatment with the demands of motherhood and the deep sense of guilt that has weighed on her throughout.

Olivia Munn bares mastectomy scars in powerful Skims campaign

In a recent campaign for Skims, Olivia Munn embraced her post-mastectomy scars—a decision she hopes will resonate with others facing similar journeys.

Originally, Munn was scheduled to model Skims’ shapewear and leggings without focusing on her scars. However, during a wardrobe change, she noticed her double mastectomy scars peeking through and decided to keep them visible.

“I’m done being insecure about my scars,” she shared with TODAY, explaining how she asked the Skims team to incorporate them into the campaign.

The campaign, launched in partnership with Susan G. Komen for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, became a powerful tribute to Munn’s journey of self-acceptance and resilience and encourages others to embrace their bodies and stories unapologetically.

In the Instagram caption, Munn expressed, “When I look at the scars or how my breasts look different or how clothes fit on me differently, I feel a lot of gratitude. The way my body looks is just a representation of how hard I fought.”

Olivia Munn’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

In October 2022, Munn revealed that she had been diagnosed with bilateral Luminal B breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. Her journey has been anything but easy, involving five surgeries and a lengthy process of trying to find the right medications to keep her healthy. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she took to Instagram to reflect on her battle, sharing that her OB-GYN was instrumental in setting her on the path to early detection by using the Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Test.

Munn’s advocacy for early detection and the importance of self-awareness in health has resonated with many of her followers. “There were many people integral to saving my life,” she wrote on Instagram, “but it was my OB-GYN who set me on the path to survival.” She’s urged others to take the same risk assessment test in hopes of encouraging early detection for those at high risk.

Mom guilt: balancing cancer recovery and motherhood

While fighting cancer, Munn has faced the emotional challenge of balancing treatment with motherhood, struggling to fully show up for her children, Malcolm, almost 3, and her newborn daughter, Méi, due to the toll of treatment.

“There is a lot of guilt that I had, and still have, from being sick for so long and being bedridden,” Munn said. “I thought that when I got through the big chunk of surgeries — the four surgeries in the beginning — that I would be able to get back on my feet. But then there came the first wave of medication, and that just knocked me down and was debilitating.”

She continued, “I was just tired and not around that much. I couldn’t hold him as much, and I couldn’t go to the playground as much, and I was really exhausted. There’s just a lot of guilt.”

Munn’s reflections reveal a familiar struggle for many moms—feeling torn between taking care of your health and wanting to be present for your children. The combination of physical exhaustion and emotional heaviness can make the journey even harder.

Support from family: John Mulaney’s role in the journey

Fortunately, Munn has a strong support system in her husband, comedian John Mulaney, who has been by her side every step of the way. Munn shared how he has been a source of strength, helping her balance the demands of cancer recovery and parenthood.

“We’re just such a little family,” she said. “We’re really tight and we have a lot of fun and we laugh all the time. And John is just the most amazing husband and father. So we figure out a way to make it all work despite how tired I can be at times.”

Finding strength in vulnerability

Olivia Munn’s story is one of resilience, strength, and vulnerability. Like so many mothers, she faces the complexities of mom guilt while battling a serious illness. Her journey reminds us that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and tired, but that being present for your family, even in small ways, is enough.

To all the moms navigating illness and motherhood, remember that you are doing your best—and that is more than enough.

A version of this post was published October 24, 2024. It has been updated.