In a powerful interview with Vogue, actress Olivia Munn is baring it all about her fight against cancer and the tough choices she’s had to make along the way.
Munn, who welcomed a son named Malcolm with comedian John Mulaney in 2021, revealed she recently underwent a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year. The surgery, which removes the uterus and cervix, was a preventative measure due to her cancer diagnosis.
Taking Charge of Her Health
“I have now had an oophorectomy and hysterectomy,” she shared with Vogue. “I took out my uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.”
Munn’s specific type of cancer, luminal B, is fueled by estrogen. After a double mastectomy and other procedures, doctors initially tried to suppress her estrogen levels with medication, but it left her drained of energy.
A Tough Decision for Motherhood
The hysterectomy, while a difficult choice, allowed Munn to focus on being present for her young son. “It was a big decision,” she admits, “but one I needed to make to be there for Malcolm.”
Munn opened up about the emotional toll of the surgery. “I had friends try to cheer me up by saying, ‘Malcolm’s not going to remember this. Don’t worry,'” she explains, “But I just kept thinking to myself, ‘I’m going to remember this, that I missed all these things.'”
Hope for the Future
Despite the challenges, Olivia is resolute. She’s already looking ahead to the future and the possibility of expanding her family with John.
Banking on Her Eggs
Munn revealed she underwent egg retrievals at 33, 39, and 42. The first two rounds were unsuccessful, highlighting the unpredictable nature of egg quality. “It’s interesting because my 33-year-old eggs were great. My 39-year-old eggs? None of them worked,” she shared.
Thankfully, a third round after her diagnosis proved successful, resulting in two healthy embryos. “John and I just started crying,” she said about the news. “It was amazing.”
Open to Surrogacy
Munn also spoke openly about the possibility of surrogacy. While acknowledging the challenges, she sees it as a viable option. “With a surrogate, you have to try to find a version of yourself somewhere…Somebody that you trust as much as yourself,” she says. “But a surrogate isn’t a scary prospect to me anymore because there’s nothing I can do. I don’t have the ability to carry a baby anymore.”
Gratitude for Options
Olivia’s journey has instilled a deep appreciation for the advancements in medicine. “This journey has made me realize how grateful I am to have options for not only fighting cancer, but also having more children if we want,” she reflects. “I know a lot of people don’t have those options.”
Olivia Munn’s strength and honesty in sharing her story are an inspiration. We’re all rooting for her on her road to recovery and future happiness!
