NBC presenter Sara Gore has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be stepping back from her on-air duties while she undergoes treatment.
Gore, 49, is a familiar face to viewers as the host of New York’s real estate series Open House, as well as the lifestyle programme New York Live.
“It just felt right to tell you myself, I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I’m going to be stepping away for treatment and surgery,” Gore, 49, said during Thursday’s broadcast of New York Live. “If I didn’t say that I was a little bit scared, I’d be lying.”
With both her mother and sister previously diagnosed with the disease, Gore said she had long understood she was at higher risk—though the reality of receiving the news still hit hard.
“I always knew I was high risk. I always assumed this day would come. But let me tell you, you are never ready,” she explained.
“For some reason, even when you catch it early because you’re doing everything right, it is an emotional blow,” Gore said, her voice catching. “I wasn’t ready for that. That actually really surprised me. It really stung.”
Even as she prepares for an extended absence to focus on her health, Gore stressed that she feels supported and in good hands, telling viewers she is “exactly where I need to be, and I’m surrounded by incredible doctors, and people who are taking such good care of me at home, thank you.”
She also paid tribute to her colleagues—who she described as “my family here”—adding: “I love you. I feel loved. I feel very supported.”
“As hard as this is, I am choosing to believe, at least for me, in this moment in time, that maybe there is a gift in this, even if I don’t fully understand what it is yet,” Gore continued. “I’m working on that part. If anything, it’s already a reminder of how precious life is and how important it is to focus on what really matters.”
While she did not share specific details about the treatment plan ahead, Gore closed with an optimistic message to viewers: “I’m going to come back better than ever, and I’m going to see you on the other side of this. Thank you for all you’ve done.”
There are various symptoms that can be linked to breast cancer, and anyone with concerns is advised to seek medical advice.
Doctors typically diagnose breast cancer using a mix of clinical breast examinations, imaging—such as mammograms or ultrasound scans—and biopsies. After an initial physical assessment, imaging is used to identify any suspicious areas, and a biopsy may then be carried out to remove a small sample of tissue for testing.
Those with a significant family history of breast cancer may also be offered blood tests to determine whether they carry a BRCA gene mutation, which can raise the risk of developing certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.
If cancer is found, treatment options can include surgery to remove the lump (lumpectomy) or the breast (mastectomy), as well as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on the individual case.