Olivia Munn candidly discussed her life-changing experience and battle with breast cancer during this week’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. On May 21st, the X-Men: Apocalypse actress, 43, told host Kelly Clarkson that the Luminal B breast cancer diagnosis in April of 2023 came as a shock.
The mom of one credited her doctor as a “guardian angel” for urging her to have an MRI and ultrasound after a routine visit for her annual Pap smear. Following the tests, doctors discovered multiple cancerous lumps in her right breast. Munn stressed that her experience serves as a reminder of the importance of regular check-ups and the potential life-saving impact of proactive medical care.
Olivia Munn Poignantly Details Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis And Postpartum Anxiety On The Kelly Clarkson Show
Munn recalled her physician's advice during her talk show appearance. Munn (who shares one son Malcolm, 2, with partner John Mulaney) noted that her doctor told her at the time: "I wanted you to come in and see me in the office because I wanted to look you in the eye and tell you that you're too young to have this much cancer in your breast."
The Magic Mike star went on, quoting her "guardian angel": "And you have a baby at home, and I need you to be aggressive because one is right by your lymph nodes and we need to move fast."
The Newsroom alum also shared with Clarkson, 41, and the audience that she received advice to have both breasts removed, but during the process, it was found that her left breast harbored more cancer, including a "tangerine-sized" section of early-stage cancer.
Munn told Clarkson that she experienced "debilitating exhaustion" during treatment and she chose to document it for the sake of her child.
"Well, because if I didn’t make it, I wanted my son when he got older to know that I fought to be here," she said, adding: "That I tried my best."
In March, Munn first divulged her startling cancer diagnosis. Following her initial diagnosis, the Predator actress underwent a double mastectomy within 30 days.
In addition to this, Munn was medically induced into menopause and subsequently underwent a hysterectomy and oophorectomy to remove her uterus and ovaries, respectively.
Last week on Good Morning America, Munn shared her and Mulaney's aspiration to provide a sibling for their son. "Right after the mastectomy, I went through a round of egg retrieval and that's a scary process because I have a cancer that feeds off of hormones, so I knew that there was a risk," she recalled while sitting down with interviewer Michael Strahan.
"Our doctor said, 'Look, we're gonna get one for you and then we're gonna call it.' And then our doctor called and he said, 'Hey, so we got the results back. It's two healthy embryos.' And I, I mean, just started bawling crying. Both of us," she continued.
Munn went on: "We just really hope it works out for us to be able to have another baby. We just want one more. I'm not gonna ask for too much more in this life, I promise. I just want one more baby."
Munn's recent appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Good Morning America have garnered praise from fans for her candidness regarding an important and sensitive topic that is especially relevant for mothers and those who have battled or are currently battling breast cancer.
