Fox News personality Kat Timpf, 36, revealed she’s battling breast cancer and will be temporarily leaving her panelist seat to undergo surgery.
A mastectomy is the removal of all or part of the breast. Undergoing a mastectomy is often a deeply emotional experience, with mental and emotional adjustments that can be just as challenging as the physical recovery.
The cancer removal portion of a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts) typically takes about two hours, but total surgery time varies depending on the type of reconstruction a patient chooses.
Most women choose to undergo some form of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, typically using implants (taking 2–3 hours) or their own tissue—often from the abdomen—for a more natural result. Total surgery time can be around 5 hours, depending on the method.
Fox News personality Kat Timpf, 36, announced she’s stepping away from her regular seat on the prime-time panel show Gutfeld to undergo breast cancer surgery — a personal decision she revealed.
Speaking before a live studio audience, Timpf shared that this marks the beginning of an important chapter in her health journey.
“Even the best case scenario with breast cancer can involve a road to feeling whole again, so this is the first step on the road to that,” Timpf said on Gutfeld. “So the internet can’t come up with theories as to where I am.”
Timpf has built a notable career as a journalist and contributor, previously working with Barstool Sports and writing for outlets like the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Washington Times. She began her regular appearances on Fox News in 2017 and became a familiar face on Gutfeld in 2023.
After announcing her diagnosis, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, saying she appreciated the “support, vibes, and prayers” sent her way.
The outpouring of encouragement from fans was swift and heartfelt. Instagram user Marcia Bidou commented:
“The show isn’t the same without you — take care of yourself and looking forward to your return!”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: Katherine Timpf attends Variety’s New York Party at Loosie’s Nightclub on October 05, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Among the messages was one from breast cancer survivor Tammy Charlene, who offered solidarity and hope drawn from her own experience:
“I had my first bout when my daughter was 17 months and my husband was deployed!” Charlene shared. “Eight surgeries, but we are here to talk about it and encourage others. You got this, sweet girl! Take time to heal, and we will be praying for everything positive.”
Timpf’s candor and strength are helping demystify the realities of breast cancer, and her openness gives others navigating similar journeys a source of comfort and connection.
Facing the possibility of a mastectomy can be an overwhelming experience, and the decision is rarely straightforward. Factors such as tumor size, its biological features, and family history all play pivotal roles. For some patients, a lumpectomy — which removes only the cancerous tissue and a margin of healthy tissue — may be a suitable alternative to full breast removal.
Choosing a mastectomy carries emotional weight for many women. The procedure itself may only take a few hours, but its physical and psychological effects can be long-lasting.
“A double mastectomy typically takes about two hours for the cancer part of the operation, the removal of the tissue,” Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet.
“The real length, the total length of the surgery, can often depend on what type of reconstruction [a patient] has.”
WATCH: Regaining your sense of self after reconstruction.
After a mastectomy, patients have a choice: immediate breast reconstruction with implants, reconstruction using their own body tissue, or opting out entirely. Most women choose some form of reconstruction, though each option requires careful consideration and can affect the overall surgery time.
“When implants are used, the procedure can take two to three hours,” Dr. Port adds. “So the total surgery time would be around five hours.”
Other women may choose autologous reconstruction, which involves transplanting tissue — often from the abdominal area — to rebuild the breast shape.
Whatever path a patient chooses, the journey toward healing involves both physical recovery and reclaiming a sense of self after breast cancer surgery. Reconstruction is deeply personal, and the decision to pursue it — or not — reflects the courage and complexity of survivorship.
Help Coping With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.
WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.
If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.
SurvivorNet experts suggest that women needing a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Breast Cancer Symptoms & Self-Exams
Women are encouraged to do regular self-exams to become familiar with how their breasts feel normally, so when something unusual, like a lump, does form, it can be easily detected. A self-exam includes pressing your fingertips along your breast in a circular motion.
For some women, that means going to their doctor and walking through what a self-breast exam looks like, so they know what normal breast tissue feels like, so if they do feel something abnormal, whether it’s a lump or discharge from the nipple, they know what to ask and what to look for.
Below are common symptoms to look out for:
New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
Any change in the size or shape of the breast
Swelling on all or part of the breast
Skin dimpling or peeling
Breast or nipple pain
Nipple turning inward
Redness or scaliness of the breast or nipple skin
Nipple discharge (not associated with breastfeeding)
Building the Courage to Share
Timpft chose to bravely share her diagnosis publicly with her news viewers with the hopes of inspiring others. Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid.
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” Dr. Plutchick explains.
Plutchik says patients consider questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?”
Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
WATCH: Sharing your diagnosis.
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.
Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
What To Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:
What treatment will I be receiving?
What side effects are associated with this treatment?
Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
Do you have recommendations for someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy exercise?
Can you recommend a dietitian who can help me with healthy eating tips and weight maintenance?
ANSWER QUESTIONS
