She had also been previously diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2010. The 66-year-old says that the cancers have been caught at an early stage and she is expected to start treatment next week.
“The double whammy is serious but fixable, and I’m hoping for a favorable outcome,” she said. “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all I have got.”
She first noticed enlarged lymph nodes in her neck during the WTA Finals held in Fort Worth, Texas.
She went on to do a biopsy and it revealed throat cancer. During the tests, a lump on her breast was also discovered and it was later diagnosed as unrelated cancer.
“Both of these cancers are in their early stages with great outcomes,” Navratilova’s representative said.
She was due to cover the Australian Open that is set to start this month. She will instead make some occasional remote appearances to accommodate her treatment.
Navratilova said that she decided to go public with her diagnosis to help other women who are suffering from the same health problems.
Ahead of the public announcement, she had told her friend Pam Shriver, her long-time doubles partner.
“You look at your skills as an athlete, to compete,” Shriver said. “And in her case, to compete and be the best while leaving no stone unturned – as far as finding things out, researching, and understanding how to put together the best team. She was one of the first in tennis to have a team. Some of those traits will serve her well once again.”