Lesbian tennis pro Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The former world champion, 53, said that finding out the news in February was devastating, however, her prognosis is described as excellent because the cancer was detected in the early stages.
Navratilova said the cancer was detected during a mammogram in January. She was diagnosed with a non-invasive form called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and will begin a six-week course of radiation therapy next month. She has already undergone a lumpectomy.
Navratilova told People magazine: "I cried. It knocked me on my ass, really. I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it's completely out of my hands.
"I went four years between mammograms. I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don't make excuses.
"I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble."
Navratilova has won the women's singles title at Wimbledon a record nine times. She retired in 2006 and came out in 1981, becoming a gay rights advocate.
Follow SheWired on Twitter!
Follow SheWired on Facebook!
Be SheWired's Friend on MySpace!
