It's my 9/11 – Navratilova admits breast cancer battle

Published on Wednesday 7 April 2010 23:19

TENNIS champion Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 53-year-old star was found to have a non-invasive form of the disease called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in February.

The nine-time Wimbledon champion admitted she was shocked by the diagnosis although the prognosis is positive.

Navratilova told US celebrity magazine People: "I cried. It knocked me on my ass really.

"I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it's completely out of my hands."

She said that it was down to pure luck that the disease was spotted early because she had missed regular breast screening check-ups.

"I went four years between mammograms. I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don't make excuses," she said.

"I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble."

Speaking to Good Morning America about her diagnosis, Navratilova said: "I found out 24 February – that was my personal 9/11.

"I was shocked because I was so sure that the calcifications were benign," she said. "I found out and I was devastated. Physically, I couldn't think, I couldn't move, I was useless. I have been healthy all my life and all of a sudden I have cancer. Are you kidding me?"

She said that her best friend was also her obstetrician and gynaecologist and she had told her about the cancer diagnosis.

"I have a very great chance of a great recovery and a very small chance of it coming back. That's the deal," she said.

"I will have radiation, but with that the chances of it coming back are 10 per cent or so."

At first she had planned to keep the news private, but decided to speak out to urge other women to have regular mammograms.

The Czech-born tennis star underwent a lumpectomy on 15 March to remove cancerous tissue. Two weeks later, she took part in a triathlon.

"I had a biopsy first, that's how we found out it was positive, then a lumpectomy three weeks ago," she said.

"In between I played the Hit For Haiti (charity tennis tournament). I played the Hit For Haiti on Friday, had the lumpectomy on Monday, played some hockey games in between. Then two weeks after the lumpectomy I did the biking portion of a triathlon – 25 miles.

"When I did find out, I still had hockey practice that night and I could barely skate because the emotions took so much physical strength out of me."

She plans to begin her radiation treatment in Paris next month, allowing her to work as a commentator on the French Open.

Dr Emma Pennery, clinical director for charity Breast Cancer Care, said that people diagnosed with DCIS were at low risk of developing invasive forms of the disease.

"It is a cancer that is commonly detected through breast screening programmes," she said.

"Essentially, it is a cancer that is in its earliest form, when the cells have not developed fully and are not able to spread outside the breast."

Dr Pennery said that because of its non-invasive nature, its symptoms are relatively low-key, though people with it may notice either a lump, a change in the shape of their nipple or a discharge from it.

Approximately 20 per cent of breast cancers detected in screening in the UK are DCIS.

Big hitter with a heart of gold

WIDELY regarded as one of the greatest tennis stars, Martina Navratilova has a record number of wins that would make her the envy of any star, male or female.

She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles – an all-time record – and ten Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She reached the Wimbledon singles final 12 times, including nine consecutive years from 1982 through 1990, and won the title a record nine times.

She and Billy Jean King have each won 20 Wimbledon titles, an all-time record. It is estimated that the 53-year-old has earned more than 14 million in prize money during her career.

Openly lesbian, Navratilova came out in 1981, shortly after getting American citizenship, and has since been an outspoken supporter of gay rights.

She has also campaigned for animal rights and underprivileged children.