From the murder of George Floyd to conflict in the Middle East, CNN’s Sara Sidner has reported on some of the world’s most important stories as co-anchor on CNN News Central. But on Monday night, she shared one of the most difficult stories of her career – the news of her Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis.
“I have never been sick a day in 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,” she said during an emotional on-air announcement on January 8.
Sidner told viewers that she is currently in her second month of chemotherapy treatment and plans to undergo radiation and a double mastectomy.
During her tearful testimony, Sidner pointed out that advances in research and treatment have ensured that her diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence. But she added that she was surprised to learn that for many Black women it can be.
According to the American Cancer Society, Black women are 41 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than White women. But the saddest part of this statistic is that the disparity has less to do with genetic differences and more to do with access to health care.
“African American people are overrepresented in states that have not expanded Medicaid,” said American Cancer Society’s CEO, Karen Knudsen, MBA, PhD. “Expanding access to care for all low-income persons and increasing trust in the medical community through provider education can substantially reduce the burden of cancer in African Americans.”
The American Cancer Society’s research has shown that inadequate (or non existent) healthcare coverage means more Black women are diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, which is often more expensive and more difficult to treat.
Sidner hopes her news will encourage more women to get regular screenings that could potentially be life-saving.
“To all my sisters, Black and white and brown out there, please, for the love of God, get your mammograms every single year. Do your self-exams. Try to catch it before I did,” she said.
And in the meantime, she says her experience has given her a new appreciation for life.
“I am learning that no matter the hell we all go through in this life, I am still madly in love with mine. Just being alive feels different now. I am happier because I don’t stress about the foolish little things that used to annoy me,” said Sidner. Now every single day, I breathe another breath. I celebrate that I am still here with you and that I can still love and cry and hope. And that, my dear friends, is enough.”
Amen.