Overview

• Lars Klingbeil disclosed that he self-detected tongue cancer in 2014, a rare and aggressive disease linked to smoking.
• He successfully underwent treatment and has been cancer-free and smoke-free for the past eleven years.
• Klingbeil described the experience as a transformative moment that gave him a calmer, more composed approach to life and politics.
• The SPD chair shared his story during a critical phase of coalition negotiations, emphasizing personal growth and resilience.
• He used the opportunity to highlight the risks of smoking and the importance of early detection for serious illnesses.