Sarah Kuttner has breast cancer: What she reveals on her podcast

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Sarah Kuttner has breast cancer: What she reveals on her podcast.

"To make it short, I've caught myself a little breast cancer." When 47-year-old host and author Sarah Kuttner talks about her diagnosis on her podcast "Das kleine Fernsehballett," she does it in her characteristically direct way – no frills, with a voice that shows resolve but never turns cold. Anyone who listens understands: This isn't a performance, this is real.

The diagnosis itself isn't new – the public is only now learning about what's been going on behind the scenes for two weeks. Back then, Kuttner spoke up on social media: "I was at the gynecologist's office yesterday for a cancer screening, and to put it in my gynecologist's words: Shit!" She said she had to get additional examinations done "super urgently" "to find out how big the shit actually is." She cancelled a reading event back then as well.

What followed was, among other things, a biopsy. "They shot into my breast five times, five fucking times," she recounted in another video clip. She didn't feel any pain: "I was a little scared here, honestly, but it's totally bearable or not even uncomfortable." A prior mammogram had given "sort of a sense" of what it might be. "Within what it is, I think it's pretty okay," she said at the time – knowing that the final answer was still pending.

To make it short, I've caught myself a little breast cancer.

What's known about the tumor

According to the 47-year-old, the tumor is in her right breast and is approximately three centimeters in size. She herself describes it as "medium-sized, medium-dangerous, so a good middle ground, which isn't bad." She hasn't said what that means in medical detail. What's certain is: The tumor was discovered, diagnosed, and named – and now there are "various appointments" and surgeries ahead.

a really nice middle ground

Reading tour cancelled – what happens next is unclear

A few days ago, Kuttner had cancelled her entire reading tour for her new novel "Mama & Sam" – at that time still without a diagnosis, "for health reasons." Now, with confirmation, the readings are cancelled until further notice. When she can perform again, give interviews, or read in front of an audience is unclear. She hasn't committed to a timeline.

The podcast continues – but without the diagnosis as a topic

Her podcast "Das kleine Fernsehballett" isn't going to end, but it will become more irregular. Individual episodes may be cancelled at short notice, "because somebody wants to stick some needle in me again." Kuttner is continuing – on her terms, at her pace. But she made one thing explicitly clear: Her illness should "quite deliberately" not be a topic in upcoming episodes.

because somebody wants to stick some needle in me again

Sarah Kuttner has taken the first step – in the format she controls herself. What the treatment brings, when she'll be back, how she'll be doing in the coming weeks: We'll find out when she chooses to share it. That's not something to be taken for granted.