Comedian Wanda Sykes in 2024.Photo:Dan Doperalski/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty
Dan Doperalski/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty
Wanda Sykesnever second-guessed her decision to have adouble mastectomyafter she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.“To me, it was, ‘They’re just boobs,'” the comedian says. “Do you want your boobs or your life? I went with life.“Sykes, who stars in anew Super Bowl adpromoting breast cancer awareness, learned in 2011 she hadductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS), a early form of breast cancer in which the cancer cells have not spread beyond the milk duct in the breast. The cancer was discovered after Sykes underwent breast reduction surgery, and the comedian opted for a double mastectomy as a preventive measure.Wanda Sykes in her 2025 Super Bowl ad for breast health.Courtesy of Novartis"It’s weird to say ‘fortunate’ when it comes to breast cancer, but I was fortunate that it happened to me at a very early stage,” says Sykes, who’s partnered with pharmaceutical company Novartis to encourage women to visit the websiteYourAttentionPlease.comand find out more about screenings and their risk for breast cancer. “I know so many women who weren’t as fortunate. Early detection is key. If we can get through to some women, ‘Think about your breast health’ … I think it will save lives.“Since her own diagnosis, Sykes says she’s diligent about maintaining own health — and making sure her wife of 16 years, Alex, does so too. “I make sure she’s on top of it,” she says.Alex Sykes and Wanda Sykes at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Michael Buckner/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024/GettyAt 60,The Upshawsstar is “feeling great right now. It’s diet and exercise,” she says.Although she admits the “bounce back” is a little tougher now (“you can’t just walk off stuff anymore like you used to”), she says aging — and being on the other side of menopause has its pros too. “I think I’m done with the hot flashes…and the irritability that came with it. You were just always annoyed,” she says. “But now it’s like, I’m good. I’m feeling all right — maybe even a little sexy!“Her family, including the couple’s 15-year-old twinsOlivia and Lucas,help keep her fit and healthy. “My wife, she’s 10 years younger [than I am], so she’s pretty active,” she says. “And the kids, they want to do things and you go along with them. Over Christmas break, I’m on the beach jogging with my son. I like to impress them a bit — they think it’s cool, like ‘Mom’s keeping up.'“Wanda Sykes and wife Alex in 2024.Wanda Sykes/InstagramHer kids were toddlers when Sykes had her mastectomy, and they remember what she went through. “It was a big deal. My son would climb up on the bed and point at me and go, ‘boo-boo,'” she recalls. “So they know how important it is for me to get this message out.“The whole family will be watching on Sunday — “they think it’s pretty cool that their mom’s in theSuper Bowl,” says Sykes, who’s rooting forPhiladelphia(“Go birds,” she cheers as she holds up an Eagles ball cap). “I love watching the games. And now I get to think, ‘Woo, is my ad up?’ It will be fun to see the impact. I’m waiting to walk down the streets in New York and someone’s like, ‘Hey, Wanda. How’s your boobs?’ I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened.”
Wanda Sykesnever second-guessed her decision to have adouble mastectomyafter she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
“To me, it was, ‘They’re just boobs,'” the comedian says. “Do you want your boobs or your life? I went with life.”
Sykes, who stars in anew Super Bowl adpromoting breast cancer awareness, learned in 2011 she hadductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS), a early form of breast cancer in which the cancer cells have not spread beyond the milk duct in the breast. The cancer was discovered after Sykes underwent breast reduction surgery, and the comedian opted for a double mastectomy as a preventive measure.
Wanda Sykes in her 2025 Super Bowl ad for breast health.Courtesy of Novartis
Courtesy of Novartis
“It’s weird to say ‘fortunate’ when it comes to breast cancer, but I was fortunate that it happened to me at a very early stage,” says Sykes, who’s partnered with pharmaceutical company Novartis to encourage women to visit the websiteYourAttentionPlease.comand find out more about screenings and their risk for breast cancer. “I know so many women who weren’t as fortunate. Early detection is key. If we can get through to some women, ‘Think about your breast health’ … I think it will save lives.”
Since her own diagnosis, Sykes says she’s diligent about maintaining own health — and making sure her wife of 16 years, Alex, does so too. “I make sure she’s on top of it,” she says.
Alex Sykes and Wanda Sykes at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Michael Buckner/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024/Getty
Michael Buckner/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024/Getty
At 60,The Upshawsstar is “feeling great right now. It’s diet and exercise,” she says.
Although she admits the “bounce back” is a little tougher now (“you can’t just walk off stuff anymore like you used to”), she says aging — and being on the other side of menopause has its pros too. “I think I’m done with the hot flashes…and the irritability that came with it. You were just always annoyed,” she says. “But now it’s like, I’m good. I’m feeling all right — maybe even a little sexy!”
Her family, including the couple’s 15-year-old twinsOlivia and Lucas,help keep her fit and healthy. “My wife, she’s 10 years younger [than I am], so she’s pretty active,” she says. “And the kids, they want to do things and you go along with them. Over Christmas break, I’m on the beach jogging with my son. I like to impress them a bit — they think it’s cool, like ‘Mom’s keeping up.'”
Wanda Sykes and wife Alex in 2024.Wanda Sykes/Instagram
Wanda Sykes/Instagram
Her kids were toddlers when Sykes had her mastectomy, and they remember what she went through. “It was a big deal. My son would climb up on the bed and point at me and go, ‘boo-boo,'” she recalls. “So they know how important it is for me to get this message out.”
The whole family will be watching on Sunday — “they think it’s pretty cool that their mom’s in theSuper Bowl,” says Sykes, who’s rooting forPhiladelphia(“Go birds,” she cheers as she holds up an Eagles ball cap). “I love watching the games. And now I get to think, ‘Woo, is my ad up?’ It will be fun to see the impact. I’m waiting to walk down the streets in New York and someone’s like, ‘Hey, Wanda. How’s your boobs?’ I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened.”
source: people.com
