Surviving Breast Cancer and Finding Your Second Act With Actress and Director Embeth Davidtz

In this powerful episode of SHE MD, hosts Mary Alice Haney and Dr. Thais Aliabadi welcome actress and filmmaker Embeth Davidtz. She shares her experience with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of comprehensive screening and self-advocacy in women's health. The conversation explores women's health, career reinvention, and the power of pursuing passion projects later in life. Interestingly, Embeth Davidtz is also the director of "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight", a film adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s New York Times bestselling memoir, which is releasing this July 2025.

Embeth Davidtz is an American-South African director, writer, producer and actress with an illustrious career spanning decades in film and television.

Recently, Davidtz made her directorial and screenwriting debut with DON'T LET'S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT, based on Alexandra Fuller's bestselling memoir of the same name. The film follows Bobo, a young girl growing up on a Rhodesian farm against the backdrop of the Bush War the 1980s. Davidtz draws from her South African upbringing to authentically portray the harsh realities of being raised amid familial strife and apartheid. Following premieres at the Telluride, Toronto and Zurich film festivals last fall, the film received rave reviews. Variety praised Davidtz’s debut “a masterclass in storytelling” and The Hollywood Reporter called the film “near perfection.” Shortly after, Sony Pictures Classics acquired the film, which will have its initial release in LA and NY on July 11, 2025.

Over the years, Davidtz has built a career defined by versatility, seamlessly moving between independent gems, major studio films and television series. Past credits include SCHINDLER’S LIST, ARMY OF DARKNESS, MATILDA, BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, OLD, IN TREATMENT, CALIFORNICATION, MAD MEN, RAY DONOVAN and THE MORNING SHOW.

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Embeth Davidtz’s 5 Action Plans:

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Consider Other Screening Methods: Women with a family history of breast cancer should consider additional screening methods like MRIs, even with normal mammogram results.

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Develop A Personalized Management Plan For Menopausal Symptoms: Breast cancer survivors like Embeth Davidtz can experience significant menopausal symptoms, requiring careful management and lifestyle adjustments.

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Engage in Creative Projects: Pursuing creative projects or volunteer work can provide a sense of purpose and improve mental health, especially for women in midlife transitions.

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Refine Your Leadership Approach: Effective leadership in male-dominated fields often requires women to balance assertiveness with diplomacy.

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Find Your Purpose, No Matter How Small: Whether it's making a movie or volunteering, doing something meaningful can lift you out of dark times.

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In This Episode:

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(00:00) Introduction

(05:34) Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment experience

(11:17) Importance of breast imaging and advocacy

(20:30) How Embeth Davidtz dealt with menopause after breast cancer

(22:30) Managing symptoms without hormone replacement

(30:00) Embarking on a new creative journey

(36:46) Learning to communicate and lead effectively

(45:00) Finding purpose and making a difference

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RESOURCES:

Embeth Davidtz - Instagram

Surviving Breast Cancer and Finding Your Second Act With Actress and Director Embeth Davidtz

About the Guest