Martina Navratilova Diagnosed with throat and breast cancer

Enceladus

Legend

Martina Navrátilová has one of the hardest matches of her life ahead of her. Doctors diagnosed the former tennis player with larynx and breast cancer. "It's a double whammy, but treatment is possible. I hope for a favorable outcome. I will fight as much as I can," said the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion on Monday.
 

Mark-Touch

Legend
Yes that is dreadful news.
Never heard of that before.
Has anyone here ever heard of someone come down with both of these at the same time?
 
Scary desease, but her spirit is amazing. Speaks volumes of someone's character when they are able to keep a positive outlook when faced with such news. Hopefully the early detection and access to good treatment will ensure full recovery.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Terrible. I hope she pulls through this and sounds like they caught it early, which is usually good news.
 

THUNDERVOLLEY

G.O.A.T.
Terrible news for Navratilova, but on the brighter side, today's treatments and options are far more effective than any she may have used when she suffered from cancer previously.
 

big ted

Legend
im surprised considering her diet & fitness, esp the throat cancer.. i guess cancer is more hereditary than anything else, and if you have a propensity for it, no preventable
 

LOBALOT

Hall of Fame
I was sorry to hear this. I grew up on the whole Chris vs. Martina thing and all the east vs. west thinking.

I actually have grown to like Martina way better than Chris especially from the analysis standpoint.

I think she just likes tennis and has fun with it that I really enjoy about her.
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
Speaks volumes of someone's character when they are able to keep a positive outlook when faced with such news.
If anyone can beat cancer, it's Martina
Read Susan Sontag's brilliant book "Illness as Metaphor" written during her own experience with breast cancer in 1978. She examines how a person's reaction to his/her cancer in the 20th century, similar to tuberculosis in the 19th century, unfairly and unreasonably came to be seen as some sort of measurement of character. We all wish Martina well, but making value judgements about people in the most difficult times of their lives is ultimately cruel.
 

artdeco

Semi-Pro
Yes she did about 11 years ago. Not good that it came back and spread to throat, and who knows where else.
It hasn't spread from breast to throat. The throat cancer is new. Article I read stated HPV+ (human papilloma virus - same as causes cervical cancer).
We'll never know where she got the HPV from, but I think I read that her current wife used to be in a relationship with a man who did lots of weird extra-relationship stuff like orgies. Would be a shame if she caught it from her current wife.
 

Fabresque

Legend
Yes, sadly my paternal grandmother lost her battle to breast cancer, so I know how devastating this is.
Very sorry to hear that, we’re currently waiting on my mother to hear back if she has colon cancer so it’s a somber time for us. Prayers for your family.
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
It hasn't spread from breast to throat. The throat cancer is new. Article I read stated HPV+ (human papilloma virus - same as causes cervical cancer).
We'll never know where she got the HPV from, but I think I read that her current wife used to be in a relationship with a man who did lots of weird extra-relationship stuff like orgies. Would be a shame if she caught it from her current wife.
You can catch HPV from unprotected sex with a carrier, including from oral. The overwhelmingly majority of HPVs are harmless, but a small minority can cause a short-term infection or worse.
 
Read Susan Sontag's brilliant book "Illness as Metaphor" written during her own experience with breast cancer in 1978. She examines how a person's reaction to his/her cancer in the 20th century, similar to tuberculosis in the 19th century, unfairly and unreasonably came to be seen as some sort of measurement of character. We all wish Martina well, but making value judgements about people in the most difficult times of their lives is ultimately cruel.
I read the book, skimming through some parts (the historic referencing mostly), but think I got the main points down, including the one you were invoking.

My describing cancer as scary would fit into the category of what Susan was describing in her book, and yes, thinking about it really makes me realize that it's unnecessary and not helpful at all. But to what you said, about making value judgements, I don't think it actually applies to the sentiment I expressed. My comment wasn't implying any psychological link to successfully treating the desease, I don't think people "can cure themselves by the mobilization of will; that they can choose not to die of the disease." Pretty clearly I wasn't implying ANY shame to having cancer or that people with cancer should be treated or talked to differently than others.

I do honestly have admiration for those who can or try to stay positive while dealing with difficult times, as you put it. That in no way is meant to victimize or victim-blame the person going through difficult times but of course I wouldn't praise someone's positive attitude if I knew it would offend or make them feel bad. I just don't think that's what the book you referenced was about.
 
Read Susan Sontag's brilliant book "Illness as Metaphor" written during her own experience with breast cancer in 1978. She examines how a person's reaction to his/her cancer in the 20th century, similar to tuberculosis in the 19th century, unfairly and unreasonably came to be seen as some sort of measurement of character. We all wish Martina well, but making value judgements about people in the most difficult times of their lives is ultimately cruel.
(then read "Darkness Visible," William Styron's eloquent account of his sinking into depression)
Firstly, all good wishes for Navratilova. Respect the daylights out of her. .

I haven’t read either, and I’m not positive I understand your exact point, but I think you’re talking about how sometimes, people sort of assume that the positive or negative emotional outlook of a cancer patient has some true impact on their outcome. And I’m not saying it has no impact. But personally, having had a relative die of an aggressive esophageal cancer, I really object when people make comments about this, faulting a patient for not having a “proper” mental outlook. No emotional stance in the world was going to change her devastating course.

Apologies if I’m out in left field (as I often am). Nevertheless, it’s what came across my mind.
 

jrepac

Hall of Fame
just awful...first Chris, now Martina. I recalled she had breast cancer earlier and beat it. Fingers crossed. Larynx cancer is unusual for a non-smoker...did not know HPV could cause it as well. Awful all around.
 
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