ZAPOPAN, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 08: WTA Legend Ambassador Martina Navratilova attends the Official Draw … [+] Pre-2021 Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara Ceremony and Gala at Zapopan City Hall on November 08, 2021 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images for WTA)
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that there will be 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the United States this year. “Well, I was one of 51,000 DCIS patients and I was lucky,” said Martina Navratilova. The tennis icon knows her luck knowing that over 43,000 women are expected to die from the second most common cancer in women (skin cancer is number one). The Wimbledon champion sat down with me to share her journey with this potentially fatal disease, from the early stages of diagnosis and treatment, to what compels her to speak out (watch the full interview here and below).
When She First Found Out
“It was four years between mammograms,” recalled Navratilova, who was diagnosed in January 2010 at the age of 53. She was told that the cancerous changes probably started at the end of four years. See the article : Saudi Arabia sees hosting the Olympics as the “ultimate goal” of sports programs – SportsPro. “But if it had happened earlier, who knows where the cancer would have gone? So I felt obligated to speak up and make women aware because I wasn’t aware.” After her initial diagnosis, Navratilova underwent a lumpectomy followed by 30 days of radiation.
The tennis legend is partnering with Hologic, an innovative medical technology company and pioneer of 3D mammography (aka digital breast tomosynthesis). Hologic established an alliance with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in March 2022.
Early testing is really the key. But women still do not prioritize their own health, says Navratilova.
“Women take care of everyone else, but we don’t take care of ourselves,” said the outspoken advocate of women’s health. “But if your dog needs a rabies shot, take him tomorrow, right?”
Tennis legend, Martina Navratilova, has always been healthy and active. But at age 53, she was diagnosed with … [+] ductal carcinoma in situ, the earliest stage of breast cancer. Early detection saved her life.
Disparities in Care
Navratilova also recognized disparities in care. While the incidence of breast cancer between black and white women is close, the ACS reports that black women have a 40% higher death rate from breast cancer. Unfortunately, for younger black women, the disparity is even worse: the death rate among black women under 50 is twice that of young white women. And it’s not genetic or biological; it is structural, social and economic. Black women are more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes and obesity, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, all of which increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
Black Women and Breast Cancer
Black women are also less likely to have adequate health insurance than white women. The lack of universal healthcare in the world’s richest nation still baffles the Czechoslovak-born tennis star. “People still equate healthcare for all with socialism,” Navratilova noted. See the article : The future of transgender athletes in competitions is uncertain, as sports organizations change the rules, issue bans. She resolutely clarified: “No, there is nothing socialist about it. It’s about the health of the nation, which means better outcomes for everyone, whether it’s economic, emotional, mental, physical. It’s nothing but a good thing when everyone has that access.”
Black women face higher mortality from breast cancer than white women. Disparities in care … [+] must be addressed across all sectors.
Risk Factors for Getting Breast Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, the biggest risk factor is aging – the median age of diagnosis is 63 for white women and 60 for black women. Dense breasts, a history of radiation therapy, obesity, and lack of physical activity can also increase the risk of breast cancer. See the article : Alumna Kendra Conyers is leading the way in the real estate industry. In addition, early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, alcohol consumption, and a family history of invasive breast cancer or DCIS are also risk factors. Research also suggests that smoking, exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, and hormonal changes related to night shift work are associated with an increase in breast malignancy.
How Can I Prevent Getting Breast Cancer?
You may not be able to change your family history or your race, but according to the CDC, you have the power to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, consuming alcohol in moderation (or not at all), breastfeeding ( if possible) and genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 if you have a family history. You should also discuss the risks and benefits of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy with your doctor.
Professional tennis player Madison Keys (L) poses with tennis icon Martina Navratilova during a … [+] women’s health panel discussion at the WTA “Her Health Advantage” event presented by Hologic in New York.
Martina’s Message to Policymakers
The honest athlete did not hold back when she expressed her views on the role of elected officials. “Make sure you know what kind of policy you’re making,” Navratilova said, and especially avoid “policies that negatively affect people.” This was a not-so-subtle reference to laws restricting access to abortion that many state and local officials have proposed. “We have politicians making rules and laws for women when they know nothing about women’s health care. They don’t know what an ectopic pregnancy is,” referring to the treatment of this potentially life-threatening condition that requires termination of an unviable pregnancy either with medication (if possible) or induced abortion.
Advice for Doctors
The former number 1 tennis player also had a message for medical professionals like me. “They need to be more up front with these things. They were too quiet. The doctors are now waiting for the lawyer to tell them if it is okay to have an abortion because otherwise the woman will die,” said the 18-time Gland Slam champion. “I mean, it’s crazy that politicians make decisions about health care.” It’s really crazy. Navratilov’s comments resonated with me because the health messages are important.
A 2021 Ipsos poll ranked doctors as the most trusted profession – and we must use that trust by standing up for our patients and the public, correcting misinformation and standing up to corrupt and misogynistic elected officials who craft policies to advance their own political agendas. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Americans had a high level of trust in doctors at a time when healthcare workers were needed more than ever. I came late to the advocacy space, making excuses like ‘I don’t have time’, I don’t know how’ and ‘I’m just one person.’ However, I quickly learned that health advocacy is not time-consuming. Small steps can pay huge dividends: sending an email or calling a local official; signing an online petition; posting on your social media pages; attending a protest; donating money; or by volunteering your time.
So whether you are a seamstress in South Sudan or an elite athlete in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, your life has VALUE. Preventive health measures like mammograms and colonoscopies can save lives. This October, think about what is important to you and your loved ones and put your health first!
