Attitude Is Key During a four-month period in 2012, stand-up comedian Tig Notaro developed breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy, lost her mother, developed pneumonia, and also went through other significant life changes. Shortly after, she changed her comedy act to include descriptions of her ordeal and disease process—descriptions delivered with candor, humor, insight, and emotion. Her presentations have captivated, entertained, and enthralled audiences and have catapulted her career to new heights. They also appear to have played a key role in helping her to fight her medical problems and regain her health.