- She is a legendary Czech-American tennis player
- She holds the record for most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era
- She was declared cancer-free after battling stage 1 cancer and stage 1 throat cancer
Having battled stage one breast cancer and stage 1 throat cancer a year ago, Martina Navratilova has come up crediting early detection and treatment for her successful recovery, and advocates for regular checkups.
She had an enlarged node in her neck and upon consulting doctors, a biopsy revealed throat cancer caused by the human papillomavirus, with further tests during the throat cancer workup leading to the discovery of the early-stage breast cancer.
Her reaction to her double cancer diagnosis was a mix of determination and hope as she called it a “double whammy” but she is grateful for the support she got after the diagnosis. Despite the seriousness of the ailment, she emphasised her fighting spirit.
What are the early signs of throat cancer?
Throat cancer can be difficult to detect in its early stages as the symptoms can be similar to those of a common cold or other minor illnesses. However, there are some signs that we need to be aware of.
- Persistent sore throat that doesn’t go away or keeps coming back
- Changes in one’s voice like hoarseness or other voice changes that won’t go away after two weeks
- A lump in the throat that doesn’t go away after two weeks
- A lump on the neck that stays for more than two weeks
- Difficulty in swallowing feeling like a stuck object in the throat
- Ear pain on one side that doesn’t go away
- Unexplained weight loss
Martina Navratilova biography
Born in Subertova in Prague, Czechoslovakia, she began playing at a tender age and picked up a tennis racquet at the age of four. At fifteen, she won the Czechoslovakian national championship, becoming number one in the country, and also led her country to victory in the 1975 Federation Cup.
Martina Navratilova. Photo/People
Due to political restrictions on her tennis career in her country, she left for the United States and became a citizen, won her first major title in doubles with Chris Evert at the 1975 French Open, and the duo dominated women’s tennis in the 1970s and 80s.
Martina held the No.1 ranking for a record-setting 332 weeks in singles and 237 weeks in doubles, also racking up an impressive number of Grand Slam titles, making her the record holder for most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.
She retired from professional tennis in 1990 but continues to play exhibition matches. She also commentates for tennis broadcasts and is involved in various social causes.
Martina personal life
She was born on October 18, 1956 in Prague, Czechoslovakia to Jana Navratilova and Mirek Subert. Her mother was an accomplished athlete having been a gymnast, tennis player and ski instructor.
Her father was a ski instructor but his relationship with the daughter was strained by the parent’s divorce when she was young. She has a younger sister and an older half-brother from her father’s side.
She came out publicly as a lesbian in 1981, a bold move for a professional athlete at the time and is considered a pioneer for LGBTQ+ rights in sports. She has since been in several high-profile relationships with women.
Unique things about Martina
Martina has several unique things that set her apart from other tennis legends. First, she came out as gay and that was a bold move for a professional athlete at the time, a move that gave her acceptance in sports.
Martina Navratilova. Photo/AP News
She is dominant in doubles, holding the record for most Grand Slam titles with a staggering 41 victories. Her career spammed in credible periods for decades and she adapted her game over time, staying competitive against young players with different styles.
Martina the cancer survivor
Martina faced and overcame a double cancer diagnosis for stage 1 breast cancer and stage 1 throat cancer. Her story of battling cancer and returning to an active life inspires many. Early detection and treatment with radiation and vitamin therapy were successful.
During the throat cancer workup, doctors discovered stage 1 breast cancer and it was also successfully treated. Her successful outcome emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment and her image as a health advocate can indirectly promote regular checkups and preventive measures.
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