CNN’s Sara Sidner Undergoing a Double Mastectomy: “I Like Those Odds”

CNN anchor Sara Sidner is taking a significant step in her battle against breast cancer. At 51, Sidner was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in October 2023 and has been undergoing treatment since then. Despite five months of chemotherapy, she has not yet achieved a cancer-free status. In a courageous move, Sidner announced on CNN’s May 21 broadcast that she would be undergoing a double mastectomy on May 22 to improve her chances of survival. “A 2016 study found that the 10-year survival rate for a bilateral mastectomy is 90.3%,” Sidner shared. “I like those odds, so I am going under the knife tomorrow and will be out recovering for a few weeks.” Sidner’s announcement marks the next phase in her journey to become cancer-free. While she did not specify when she would return to the CNN anchor desk, she acknowledged the need for a period of recovery. Kate Bolduan and John Berman, who have co-anchored CNN News Central since April 2023, will fill in for her during her absence. Reflecting on her diagnosis in an interview with PEOPLE in January, Sidner recalled the initial shock and emotional processing she underwent. After spending a few days alone to grapple...