Martina Navratilova diagnosed with Stage 1 throat and early-stage breast cancer
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with Stage 1 throat cancer. Initial tests also revealed another diagnosis. Navratilova has early-stage breast cancer that is unrelated from her non-invasive breast cancer in 2010.
In a statement, Navratilova expressed optimism as she heads into treatment. The 18-time grand slam champion will begin treatment later this month.
"This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I’m hoping for a favorable outcome," Navratilova said via Tennis.com. "It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all have I got."
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According to reports, Navratilova is battling type HPV throat cancer. She noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the WTA Finals in November.
A biopsy revealed he diagnosis. There is a strong prognosis that the cancer responds well to treatment.
During her first battle with breast cancer, Navratilova was deemed cancer-free after six months. She underwent a lumpectomy and six weeks of radiation.
In a 2017 Novartis video shared to her Twitter account, Navratilova described the cancer treatment and how she overcame her diagnosis.
"Being a top-level athlete, pro athlete, you learn to be positive," Navratilova said in the video. "So, that came in very handy as a patient. Being a positive person helped a lot and surround yourself with positive people as well."
Navratilova is well-renowned on the tennis court. She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including the 1983 U.S. Open against Chris Evert. The victory helped propel her to a Career Grand Slam. At the time, she became the seventh woman to reach the milestone.
In retirement, Navratilova is a studio analyst for the Tennis Channel. She will not cover the Australian Open but hopes to contribute remotely throughout her battle.