Breaking News: CNN Anchor Sara Sidner Shares Shocking Stage 3 Breast Cancer Diagnosis Live on Air
CNN Anchor Sara Sidner bravely shares her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis during a live broadcast, highlighting her determination to fight this battle and raise awareness
Roger Wong/INSTARimages
CNN’s Sara Sidner ended her Monday, January 8, broadcast by sharing that she has been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
In a Monday morning broadcast of CNN News Central, 51-year-old Sidner shared a personal note, asking viewers for a big favor. She urged them to take a moment to think of eight women in their lives whom they love and know, emphasizing that statistically, one out of eight women will either get or have breast cancer.
"I am the one in eight in my group of friends," she confessed. "I have never been ill a day in my life. I don't smoke, I hardly ever drink. Breast cancer doesn't run in my family, and yet here I am, diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. It's difficult to say aloud."
The journalist shared that she was currently undergoing her "second month" of chemotherapy treatments. After chemo, she will have "radiation and a double mastectomy."
"Stage 3 is no longer a death sentence for most women," she stated. "But the reality that truly startled me while delving into the research was this."
In her exploration of breast cancer, Sidner uncovered the unsettling statistic that Black women are 41% more likely to succumb to breast cancer than their white counterparts.
"Dear sisters of all races, I urge you to prioritize getting your mammograms annually and to consistently perform self-exams. I wish to prevent others from experiencing what I have gone through."
While sharing her diagnosis, Sidner couldn't help but feel thankful for the perspective and positivity that cancer has brought into her life.
"I have expressed my gratitude to cancer for choosing me. No matter what hardships we face in life, I am still deeply in love with life and simply being alive feels remarkably different for me now," she said emotionally. "I am happier because I no longer stress about trivial matters that used to bother me, and now I can celebrate every breath I take as a reminder that I am still here."
She ended her broadcast by expressing her heartfelt gratitude to her viewers, CNN colleagues, and family for being there for her. Many of Sidner's coworkers took to social media to show their support for her.
“I am in awe of your strength, @sarasidnerCNN,” Kaitlan Collins wrote via X (formerly Twitter.) “This is a message that will save lives.”
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Former congressman Joe Walsh also shared well wishes from him and his wife Helene Walsh.
“@sarasidnerCNN is tough, fearless, diligent, & faithful. She’ll lick this,” he tweeted. “@Helene731 & I give her our thoughts & prayers. F–k cancer. You got this Sara.”
