Drew Barrymore recently shared a personal health experience on "The Drew Barrymore Show," revealing she had a breast cancer scare after a routine mammogram yielded concerning results. Speaking with guest Tig Notaro, a comedian and breast cancer survivor, Barrymore explained that the "bad mammogram" led to an emergency biopsy, followed by an anxious five-day wait for the results.
Barrymore, 50, described the experience as something she had been wanting to discuss on her show but felt apprehensive about, calling it "a very tough one to approach". Ultimately, she felt compelled to share her story after being moved by Notaro's new documentary, "Come See Me in the Good Light". The documentary follows poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they navigate Gibson's terminal ovarian cancer diagnosis. Barrymore expressed that the film gave her the confidence to broach the subject on air.
"This is the thing I've wanted to risk talking about on this show because I recently had a scare," Barrymore said. Turning to her audience, she added, "I'm completely fine, but I did get a bad mammogram and I got taken into that room and then I had an emergency biopsy. And I waited those five days". Barrymore's voice reportedly cracked with emotion as she recalled the difficult wait. Notaro, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and underwent a double mastectomy in 2016, acknowledged the stress of the waiting period, saying, "It's a long wait".
Barrymore commended Notaro for speaking openly about her cancer journey with humor and strength. She then asked Notaro how she had made peace with her diagnosis. Notaro, who has been cancer-free since 2013, shared that the experience "cracked [her] open completely" and changed her perspective on life. She emphasized the importance of asking for help during challenging times. "What I can't encourage people enough to do is to get over any sort of feeling that you can't ask for help," Notaro said. "It is the greatest gift you can give yourself and that people that love you".
Barrymore has been a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness, even filming herself getting a mammogram on "The Drew Barrymore Show" to demystify the process. In October 2023, she dedicated an entire episode to breast cancer awareness, honoring Ross Mathews' late mother, who died from the disease.
Barrymore told Notaro that her documentary would be "groundbreaking" and "so important for people," adding, "it's one of the most beautiful love stories I've ever seen in my life". "Come See Me in the Good Light" is scheduled to be released on Apple TV on November 14.
This recent health scare serves as a reminder of the importance of regular screenings and early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Barrymore's openness in sharing her experience will likely encourage other women to prioritize their health and seek support when facing similar challenges.
