Olivia Munn Gets Vulnerable About How Her Son Malcolm Helped Her Through Breast Cancer Treatment in a Raw New Interview
Toddlers are known for being a little wild, a little cranky, and a lot unpredictable, but they are also tiny beings of pure love and cuteness that can make even the hardest day disappear. And when Olivia Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through grueling treatment, it was her toddler son Malcolm, now 2, who helped her put everything into perspective.
“You realize cancer doesn’t care who you are; it doesn’t care if you have a baby or if you don’t have time,” she said in a new cover interview with PEOPLE. “It comes at you, and you have no choice but to face it head-on.”
The Newsroom alum was diagnosed with luminal B bilateral breast cancer, a fast-moving, aggressive form of cancer, in May 2023. She had lymph node dissection, a nipple delay procedure, a double mastectomy to remove the cancer in both breasts and reduce further risk. After the mastectomy, the doctors found a “tangerine-sized” ductal carcinoma in situ cancer in her right breast. She had subsequent reconstruction surgery and is now taking hormone suppression therapy, which has put her in medically induced menopause causing her to have hot flash, thinning hair, and fatigue.
But instead of getting caught up in all the changes and the overwhelming, emotionally challenging, exhaustion of dealing with this disease, Munn focused on her baby boy.
“When I’m with him, it’s the only time my brain doesn’t think about being sick,” she said. “I’m just so happy with him. And it puts a lot of stuff into perspective. Because if my body changes, I’m still his mom. If I have hot flashes, I’m still his mom. If I lose my hair, I’m still his mom.”
“That’s really what matters the most to me. I get to be here for him,” she added.
Reading this made me cry because it hits so close to home. I got diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in Feb. 2023, an aggressive form of cancer. I was 29 and was breastfeeding my almost-1-year-old son at the time before I had to quit to undergo six months of chemotherapy, 28 sessions of radiation, and 18 infusions of immunotherapy. I also had a double mastectomy and will have reconstructive surgery later this year. Going through cancer with a toddler (and two other kids who are now 6 and 5) was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But I was also lucky enough to experience those moments of pure bliss with my kids like Munn did that allowed me to just be present as their mom — even when I had no hair, was constantly exhausted, and was battling nausea from the intense chemo.
The fact that Munn went through almost the exact same thing makes my heart completely shatter for her — but it also makes me feel a little less alone. This is a club that no mom wants to be in, but the fact that she is so open about her feelings and her saving grace is so uplifting to hear.
That doesn’t mean Munn’s never worried, though. “I was not someone who obsessed over death or was afraid of it in any way,” she told PEOPLE, adding that “having a little baby at home made everything much more terrifying.” Very true! You don’t want anything to happen to you for obvious reasons, but it’s pain on another level imagine your kids growing up without their mom.
Thankfully, Munn had her boyfriend (and Malcolm’s dad) John Mulaney by her side through it all. “It would’ve felt like climbing an iceberg without him,” she told the outlet. “I don’t think he had a moment to himself, between being an incredibly hands-on father and going to and from the hospital — taking Malcolm to the park, putting him to nap, driving to Cedars-Sinai, hanging out with me, going home, putting Malcolm to bed, coming back to me. And he did it all happily.”
Munn revealed her cancer news in a vulnerable Instagram post last month. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she wrote. “I hope by sharing this it will help others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey.” She said she had been keeping the news private and only posting when she had “energy” and “when I can get dressed and get out of the house, when I can take my baby boy to the park.”
“I’m so thankful to John for the nights he spent researching what every operation and medication meant and what side effects and recovery I could expect,” Munn added. “For being there before I went into each surgery and being there when I woke up, always placing framed photos of our little boy Malcolm so it would be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. Thank you for fighting so hard to be here for us. Malc and I adore you. ❤️”
Going through breast cancer or battling any other health issue can feel so isolating, especially as a mom. But focusing on your kids and leaning on your community for support can make the load feel a million times lighter. I always tell people that going through cancer with little kids at home is incredibly hard — but I would never want to do it without them.
Before you go, check out some of the most heartfelt messages from celebrities to their kids.