WASHINGTON — Cancer can be tragic — but a comedian with local roots has found that laughter may indeed be the best medicine.
Caitlin Brodnick was diagnosed at 25 with a genetic mutation that sharply raises the risk of breast cancer. The New York comic pondered her options for a couple of years before deciding on a preventative double mastectomy at the age of 28.
“Your life changes, your sexuality changes and it took me a long time to do this,” says Brodnick, adding “as a result, now I want to educate as many women as possible.”
And so the Kensington, Maryland, native is taking her story to comedy clubs and breast cancer conferences — not to mention an online documentary series produced in collaboration with Glamour magazine’s website.
“I am not a doctor, I am not a surgeon, I am not a genetic counselor or a scientist,” Brodnick says, adding her way of making a difference is to make a difficult topic less clinical and more human.
“That is where I am focusing as hard as possible because it is my gift that I can give,” she explains.
Some of the material is, admittedly, a bit risqué. Brodnick talks openly about topics such as choosing the look of her new breasts, and her relationship with her husband, Allen Arthur.
Reconstruction, for example, can bring a smile as she talks about her “DIY breasts” — a new twist on being a “crafter.”
“It just gives it this softer edge — it takes away the edge, actually,” Brodnick says with a knowing smile.
She now describes herself as “a comedian and advocate for women’s health.” And while breast cancer is currently her primary focus, Brodnick says her goal is to educate all women about the need to be aware and take charge of their own physical well-being.
“I can give everything I have and really demystify the whole process,” she says, adding “that is the most power I can give to any woman.”
Watch one of Brodnick’s videos:
