Whoopi Goldberg has used her outrageous sense of humor in movies, on TV and in fund-raisers. But she also used her incredible gift for getting laughs to cheer up her close friend and agent, Cara Stein, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Whoopi was able to be a source of both strength and support (her "bra") to Cara. Here, the two teamed up to discuss their friendship and Cara's battle to beat breast cancer. And one thing is for sure: When you bring this duo together, both big kidders, you never know what they'll say next.

Cara, what's your relationship with Whoopi and how did it help you in dealing with your breast cancer?

Cara: I'm Whoopi's agent. That's how we met; then we became friends. When I had my surgery Whoopi came to visit me in the hospital, and apparently nurses are her greatest fan base, because after that I got all the pain medication a girl could ask for. It was awesome!

Whoopi: None of which she shared with me. I just want to add that because I thought it was odd.

Whoopi, what's the funniest thing you did to cheer Cara up?

Whoopi: I think I volunteered to get a wig.

Cara: You sent me a wig. You sent me that crazy pink wig.

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All humor aside, did you ever feel like you needed to get tough with Cara in terms of her treatment?

Whoopi: One of the things that I had to remind her was that she was ill and didn't have to be worried about how other people were doing, because she wanted to take care of everybody else. Sometimes you need to get in people's faces and say ... no matter how much stuff you do for other people, you still gotta take care of you.

Cara, was it hard asking for help?

Cara: Well, I gotta tell ya, I think I might have asked, but everyone just kind of stepped in instantly. Everybody. My husband, my kids, Whoopi and all my friends.

Whoopi, did you learn anything new about Cara while she was dealing with breast cancer?

Whoopi: She doesn't like pink wigs! That's the biggest thing I learned.

Cara: I didn't like wigs at all.

Whoopi: She didn't like the wigs, but she looked pretty damn good bald, I have to say.

Did you choose to go to work bald?

Cara: I did. I thought to myself, I didn't do anything. Why am I in some costume? This seems crazy. And I took it off and I never put it back on. Ya know, it takes only about two seconds for people to get used to it.

Whoopi, do you have any advice for someone who wants to be a source of support for someone with breast cancer?

Whoopi: Really I don't think you're ever gonna know what anybody needs unless you ask them. And don't stand on ceremony. Let folks know what you can do. If you can babysit the kids, say you can babysit the kids. If you can do a little shopping, say you can do some shopping. You don't have to try to find the cure. You can just find some time to devote to the person.

That's good advice for being a "bra" to someone with breast cancer. Speaking of bras, what's the story that you wanted to tell about Whoopi and a bra?

Cara: For years and years, I had been encouraging Whoopi to wear a bra, which she absolutely flat-out refused. Finally, I beat her up enough and I took her to my bra place on the Upper West Side of New York and we went in there and got fully fitted. I don't think she's worn it since.

If you had to pick one word for Whoopi, what would it be?

Cara: Real. I've been an agent for 21 years and people always ask me, "What are the celebrities really like?" and "Is anyone really nice?" They all want to get the dirt. It's really hard being famous — and she's really famous. But she has a very close circle of friends that she stays loyal and true to, and they do the same. I consider myself one of those people, and she's a real person and has been a real friend.

Photo Credit: Mary Ellen Mark