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."
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.
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“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.”
She added: “Please, for the love of God, get your mammograms every single year.
“Do your self exams. Try to catch it.”
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Sidner broke down as she concluded her message, saying: "I have thanked cancer for choosing me.
"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.”
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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.
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.
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“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.”
Featured Image Credit: CNN