Most women in their twenties aren’t focused on their genetic inheritance or risk factors for developing cancer. Standup comedian Caitlin Brodnick certainly wasn’t. Even after she tested positive for the BRCA1 genetic mutation, which meant her risk for developing cancer in her lifetime was 87 percent, she spent two years in denial before she made the life-changing decision to have a preventative double-mastectomy at twenty-eight years old. The experience was chronicled in a docuseries produced by Glamour called Screw You, Cancer, which to-date has more than 7 million views and won a Television Academy Honor (Emmy) and a National Magazine Award for Best Video.
In her forthcoming memoir, DANGEROUS BOOBIES: Breaking Up with My Time-Bomb Breasts Seal Press; on-sale September 12, 2017; trade paperback original), Brodnick delves beyond the surface to share every step of her journey, finding humor in even the most difficult moments. With self-awareness and courage, she tackles subjects including body image, alcoholism, depression, health insurance, and the inability to shower for long periods of time.
She opens up about her family history of cancer; her love-hate (mostly hate) relationship with her large breasts (she measured 32G at barely 5 feet tall); her concerns about how her relationship with her husband might change post-surgery; her experiences with doctors; her fear of needles, blood, and surgery; her recovery and beyond. With a warm and approachable voice she answers questions like: How do you talk to your family members about this? What about your significant other? How do you pick new nipples? How do your notions of femininity evolve or remain unchanged? How do you have sex after lying in bed for two weeks?
DANGEROUS BOOBIES features a foreword by Rachel Bloom and will be published in time for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). Caitlin is eager to share her story to empower others to make informed decisions about their health, and to encourage young women to embrace, accept, and take charge of their bodies
Barbara Jacoby is an award winning blogger that has contributed her writings to multiple online publications that have touched readers worldwide.