Home / News Olivia Munn on battling breast cancer as a mom of 2: ‘A lot of guilt’ Her reflections reveal a familiar struggle for many moms—feeling torn between taking care of your health and wanting to be present for your children. By Stefania Sainato October 24, 2024 Rectangle Inside this article Olivia Munn’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment Mom guilt: balancing cancer recovery and motherhood Support from family: John Mulaney’s role in the journey Finding strength in vulnerability 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’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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by o l i v i a (@oliviamunn) 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.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by o l i v i a (@oliviamunn) 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.” Mulaney’s involvement has been crucial in allowing Munn to focus on her health while still feeling connected to her children, even during the hardest days of her treatment. 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. Inside this article Olivia Munn’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment Mom guilt: balancing cancer recovery and motherhood Support from family: John Mulaney’s role in the journey Finding strength in vulnerability The latest News NICU baby’s Taylor Swift costume is melting hearts everywhere News Buybuy BABY closing all stores (again): What it means for moms News Andrew Garfield’s heartfelt conversation with Elmo shows us why we should talk to kids about grief News Joy-Anna Duggar opens up about postpartum depression: ‘The darkest time of my life’