Overview

• Lars Klingbeil, SPD chair, publicly shared for the first time his 2014 diagnosis of tongue cancer on the ZEIT podcast 'Alles gesagt?'.
• He self-detected the cancer, sought medical treatment, and has been in remission for over a decade without any recurrence.
• Klingbeil attributed the illness to years of heavy smoking, consuming up to 40 cigarettes daily, but has remained smoke-free for 11 years.
• The experience profoundly impacted his perspective, fostering a sense of resilience and composure that he applies in his personal and political life.
• His revelation highlights the importance of early detection and the significant cancer risks associated with tobacco use.