A reporter teared up as she bravely shared the heartbreaking news that she has cancer - live on air.
She decided to openly speak about her diagnosis in a bid to urge others to look out for warning signs, saying she ‘thanked’ cancer for ‘choosing’ her.
As a CNN news broadcast came to a close, anchor Sara Sidner took a moment to address viewers directly with a ‘personal note’.
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She began: “Just take a second to recall the names of eight women who you love and know in your life – just eight, count them on your fingers.
“Statistically, one of them will get or have breast cancer. I am that one in eight in my friend group.”
Sidner continued: "I have never been sick a day of my life. I don't smoke, I rarely drink, breast cancer does not run in my family.
“And yet here I am, with stage 3 breast cancer. It is hard to say out loud."
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Sidner’s voice started to break as she revealed she was in her second month of chemotherapy treatments, and was due to undergo both radiotherapy and a double mastectomy.
“Stage 3 is not a death sentence anymore for the vast majority of women,” she said defiantly.
“But here is the reality that shocked my system when I started to research more about breast cancer – something I never knew before this diagnosis: if you happen to be a Black woman, you are 41 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than your white counterparts.”
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She added: “Please, for the love of God, get your mammograms every single year.
“Do your self exams. Try to catch it.”
Sidner broke down as she concluded her message, saying: "I have thanked cancer for choosing me.
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"I am learning that no matter what we go through in life, that I am still madly in love with this life and just being alive feels really different for me now.
“I am happier because I don't stress about foolish little things that used to annoy me.”
According to the NHS, the first symptoms of breast cancer that most women notice is a ‘lump or a thickened tissue in their breast’.
While many lumps are not cancerous, it is always best to have them checked out by a doctor – even if just to rule anything out.
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You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
The NHS says on its website: “It's important to be breast aware so you notice any changes as soon as possible.
“Get to know what is normal for you – for instance, your breasts may look or feel different at different times of your life. This will make it easier to notice potential problems.”
Jess Hardiman