Martina Navratilova
The cancer also affected her psychologically
Martina Navratilova at the women’s final of the US Open in New York City in early September 2023.
© imago/ABACAPRESS
Martina Navratilova has beaten cancer for the second time. Now she revealed that the second diagnosis was causing her psychological problems.
Former world-class tennis player Martina Navratilova (66) has once again spoken openly about her health. On the “Today” show, she reflected on the fact that she had been diagnosed with cancer in March and also revealed psychological problems that continue to haunt her to this day after the devastating diagnosis.
“The first diagnosis was throat cancer, and then when they looked to see where exactly it was, they also found a lump in my breast,” explained the former number one in women’s tennis. “I knew straight away it was cancer because it showed up on the MRI. I thought to myself: Great, that’s a double blow.” As “People” magazine reported at the time, among othersNavratilova initially sought treatment for an enlarged lymph node.
Physically, the double cancer was the hardest thing she had ever been through. But the diagnosis and treatment were also psychologically stressful, which she still feels today: “I almost have post-traumatic stress disorder when I come to New York because I was treated there for several weeks.”
Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with cancer in 2010
For Navratilova, it was not the first cancer diagnosis in her life: she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in 2010. After a successful operation in March and subsequent radiation in May, she was considered cured. However, her current diagnosis has nothing to do with the one back then, Navratilova continued. These are “two completely different types of cancer that have nothing to do with the first.” She always diligently went to her check-ups.
In May 2023, Navratilova announced in a TV interview with Piers Morgan (57) that she had overcome her new cancer. She already announced how difficult the illness was for her. “I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t realize it was going to be as hard as it really was,” Navratilova continued in the interview. Eating food was particularly difficult. She lost 15 pounds (approx. 7 kg) – not because she wanted to, but because she couldn’t eat enough. Because of the treatment, she couldn’t even yawn or sneeze properly.