Meeting Cancer with Humour

Sarah DiMuro is a Toronto-based actor, comedian and writer. Recently, six months after becoming a mom, she found out that she had breast cancer. Her solution: to create a web series to share her experience in the hopes of helping others! Each week, subscribers can tune in and see how DiMuro deals with things like hot flashes, preparing for a double mastectomy or searching for a surrogate to have a second baby, with each post infused with a dose of reality and humour. Enjoy our Q&A with her below (we dare you not to LOL), and check out her first episode here! —Noa Nichol

Hi Sarah! How did it feel (the "first impact") to find out you ad breast cancer—and so soon after having a child? First thoughts to race through your mind?

I think you have the wrong Sarah. No way could I have breast cancer, I mean it doesn’t run in my family, I have super-small boobs and I eat a ton of broccoli, organic broccoli. This is a simple misunderstanding. No way could my strawberry sized mounds pack such a lethal punch. Also I just finished breastfeeding and breastfeeding is supposed to help prevent breast cancer.

How and why did the idea to do a web series come about?

My oncologist told me about this organization called Rethink Breast Cancer that’s always looking for contributors to help create digital content. I’m a writer and comedian who finds comfort in sharing what’s going on in my life. I actually used to have a dating blog for a magazine in New York City where I flew all over the country on blind dates looking for love and wrote about it. Needless to say, I’m not exactly a shy person. So when I was in New York City getting a second opinion from a doctor there, I took out my iPhone and shot quick before and after videos of the appointment and sent them to Rethink. They loved it and contacted me. We met and the vlog First Baby, Then Breast Cancer was born.

Where are you at now with your diagnosis/treatment?

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma in April. I had a double mastectomy and as my cancer was highly hormone receptor positive, I am currently getting monthly Zoladex shots to suppress my ovaries so they stop making estrogen. I also take a daily pill to kill any stray estrogen that may be hiding out.

How does humour help?

I love making fun of myself especially when it can make others feel more comfortable. I mean when you start getting acne at 9 years old and have reconstructive jaw surgery at 16, humor is your best friend. Even as I sit and wait for test results to come back or side effects to kick in, I still need to be able to laugh. It’s also a really great workout for your abs, almost as good as planks.

Most challenging/surprising things you’ve discovered about breast cancer? Anything positive?

Just because I’m super healthy and exercise everyday didn’t make me immune to cancer. But taking care of myself and maintaining an active lifestyle has helped me navigate through the treatment physically and mentally. Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t a day where I don’t worry about it coming back. And every ache or pain is somehow a sign of a recurrence but when I look at my 1-year-old son I know I have to stay present and practice living with as little fear as possible. And face it, cancer is one of the scariest things that can happen to you and when you get it everything else seems less scary. Well, except for rats in New York City, they are just brazen and huge!

Ways you wish people would give back during Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

I think most people are aware of breast cancer and even preschoolers know what the pink ribbon stands for, but more attention and efforts need to be put toward research for metastatic breast cancer. I have a friend whose sister is 37 years old with Stage 4 breast cancer and is fighting for her life. So I encourage people to connect with organizations like Rethink that are working on initiatives that put the focus on finding a cure for metastatic breast cancer.