Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, 66, gives update on 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 sporting icon today spoke about the ordeal of ‘beating him’ during an interview with his wife Julia Lemigova, 51, along with Good Morning Britain hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley.
Martina, who lives in Florida with her husband, revealed that she was diagnosed with breast and throat cancer in early December and was finally given the all clear ‘three weeks ago’.
In an emotional response to Susanna, she said proton therapy – a treatment that uses high-powered energy to treat tumors – put her through ‘seven months of hell emotionally and physically’.
He added that his 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 described the ‘seven months of hell’ before being declared throat and breast cancer free with her wife Julia (pictured right) in an interview on Good Morning Britain in June.
Martina continued: ‘Julia was amazing. Helping me throughout treatment. Especially Proton’s seven weeks in New York.
‘So I was diagnosed in early December and I finally got the all-clear three weeks ago.
‘So it really has been seven months of hell, mentally and physically’.
The Prague-born tennis star praised his wife, who was filming episodes for the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Miami during Martina’s treatment.
He said the actress would come ‘in and out’ to watch and spend time with him during filming as well.
She continued: ‘I’ve lost about 25 pounds so I’m very thin now’.
‘It’s been very difficult but I’m cancer free now, knock on wood. And Julia – it scared her too. It was scary’.
In an emotional response to host Suzanne, she said that proton cancer treatment – a treatment that uses high-powered energy to treat cancer and some noncancerous tumors – put her through ‘seven months of hell emotionally and physically’.
Julia, mother-of-two, added: ‘It was very scary. But you know, in tragedies like this, life teaches you different perspectives.
‘When you say, don’t take life for granted and appreciate every moment of it, now that’s what we do with Martina. Praise and thank you every day. Look at life differently.
‘Be positive and give thanks every day, which sometimes people forget to do’.
Martina also revealed that while most of her cancers were treatable and ‘not exactly life-threatening’, the treatment was still unhelpful.
He said: ‘The actual treatment was horrible. You know chemotherapy, radiation, it really beats me up.
‘Physically it was brutal and it still hangs over your shoulders. No matter what you can’t get away from it. We were both really scared.
Messages of support also poured in from Twitter users as people took to the social media platform to wish Martina
The GMB hosts shared the couple’s relief, with Richard offering a hearty ‘congratulations’ on the positive result.
Messages of support also poured in from Twitter users as people took to the social media platform to wish Martina.
One wrote: ‘Martina looks great and doing well. Wishing him good health and a bright future.’
Another said: ‘Absolutely love Martina. A real goat. And a fighter through and through.’
A third said: ‘Dear Martina Navratilova, God bless her. So very happy he is cancer free Xx’.