The chef Johann Lafer.Image: Getty Images Europe
May 30, 2026, 9:06 p.mMay 31, 2026, 2:39 p.m
TV chef Johann Lafer has made it public that he has cancer. «I’m sick. Seriously ill,” said Lafer in an interview with “Bild”. “I have lymphatic cancer.” The chances of survival with this type of cancer are often good.
His illness was discovered two and a half years ago, said Lafer. “During a routine examination during a fast, a doctor saw shadows in the groin. I didn’t have any pain. Nothing at all,” recalls the 68-year-old Austrian. The diagnosis followed later.
Lafer is fighting cancer with chemotherapy
«At first I hoped that everything would disappear again. You think: This doesn’t concern me. “It’ll go away again,” said Lafer. In January 2026, his situation worsened drastically, writes “Bild”. «Suddenly everything was swollen. Sweats at night. Sleeping was hardly possible. “That’s when I noticed: Now something was going completely in the wrong direction,” said Lafer.
He has been battling cancer with chemotherapy since the beginning of the year. “Each chemo lasts almost 24 hours. Bottles hang everywhere. “That completely blows you away,” said Lafer. But he also conveys positive news: “You can see that the knots are getting smaller. That the treatment is working. And that gives me strength.”
Give up? “No! Dying is not an option for me. I want to work, I have to work. I need this. I still have so many plans and so many ideas.”
Lymphoma (lymphoma) is a collective term for malignant diseases of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s defense system. Part of the system includes lymph nodes, spleen and certain white blood cells (lymphocytes). In lymphoma, these blood cells grow uncontrollably. There are two main groups: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma often affects young adults and has a good chance of recovery, especially in the early stages. When it comes to non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas – one of which Lafer says he has – there are dozens of subtypes with very different progressions.
There are aggressive lymphomas that require immediate treatment. Those affected can often be cured with the first intensive treatment. For other patients with slowly progressing lymphoma, it may be sufficient to wait and have regular check-ups. Such chronic illnesses can usually be easily reversed through treatment, but they are usually not permanently curable.
Typical symptoms of lymphatic cancer are fever, night sweats and unwanted weight loss. Other common signs include painless swelling of the lymph nodes, often in the neck, armpit or groin, fatigue and a drop in performance.
“Given the circumstances, I’m fine.”
According to the circumstances, he is doing well, said Lafer in a statement from his agency. “I am particularly pleased that I can continue to do my work and attend many planned appointments and appearances.”
The news was initially a big shock for his family and him. “We are all the more grateful that the treatment is working well and the situation is developing positively.”
Lafer has been reaching a large television audience as a TV chef for decades, including with the ZDF programs “Lafer! Lights! Yummy!” (2006-2017) and “The Kitchen Battle” (since 2008). (dab/sda/dpa)