Martina Navratilova shares health update amid breast cancer battle
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, 66, gives update on her breast and throat cancer treatment after ‘seven months of hell’
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has revealed she went through “seven months of hell” before being declared cancer-free in June this year.
The 66-year-old sports icon spoke about the ordeal that “beat her up” during an interview with Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley, hosts of Good Morning Britain, along with her wife Julia Lemigova, 51,
Martina, who lives in Florida with her wife, revealed in early December that she had been diagnosed with breast and throat cancer and that “three weeks ago” she finally got everything clear.
In an emotional response to Susanna, she said proton therapy — a treatment that uses powerful energy to treat tumors — got her through “seven months of hell, emotionally and physically.”
She added that her wife, a former model and reality star, had been “amazing” during her treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has talked about the ‘seven months of hell’ she endured before being declared throat and breast cancer free in June, as she and her wife Julia (pictured right) during a Good Morning Britain interview
Martina continued, “Julia was amazing. Helps me during treatment. Especially in New York with the seven week proton.
“So I was diagnosed in early December and three weeks ago I finally got everything safe.
“So it really has been seven months of hell, emotionally and physically.”
The Prague-born tennis star praised her wife, who was filming episodes for the Bravo reality TV series The Real Housewives of Miami at the time of Martina’s treatment.
She said the actress would “come in and out” to visit and spend time with her while she was also filming.
She continued, “I’ve lost about 25 pounds, so I’m very slim now.”
“It’s been really hard, but I’m cancer free now, knock on wood. And Julia – it scared her too. it was scary’.
In an emotional response to host Susanna, she said proton cancer treatment — a treatment that uses powerful energy to treat cancer and some non-cancerous tumors — got her through “seven months of hell, emotionally and physically.”
Julia, a mother of two, added: ‘It was very scary. But you know, in a tragedy like this, life teaches you different perspectives.
“When you say don’t take life for granted and appreciate every moment of it, that’s what we do with Martina. Appreciate and thank every day. Look at life differently.
“Be positive and give thanks every day, which people sometimes forget to do.”
Martina also revealed that the majority of her cancer was treatable and “not exactly life-threatening,” the treatment was still grueling.
She said: ‘The actual treatment was horrific. You know, chemotherapy, radiation, it really beat me up.
“Physically it was brutal and it still hangs over your shoulder. No matter what you do, you can’t get rid of it. We were both really scared.”
Supportive messages from Twitter users also poured in as people took to the social media platform to wish Martina well
The GMB hosts shared in the couple’s relief and Richard warmly congratulated him on the positive outcome.
Supportive messages from Twitter users also poured in as people took to the social media platform to wish Martina well.
One person wrote: ‘It’s so nice to see Martina looking so good and doing so well. Wish her good health and a happy future.’
Another said, “Absolutely love Martina. A real goat. And a fighter in heart and soul.’
A third said: ‘Beloved Martina Navratilova, God bless her. So glad she is cancer free Xx’.