Martina Navratilova has built a public life around strength, directness, and refusing to back down. Now the tennis legend is facing a deeply personal challenge after doctors found not one, but two separate cancers.
The 66-year-old former champion learned she had early-stage throat cancer after noticing a small lump in her neck. The lump turned out to be a swollen lymph node, and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.
During additional testing, doctors also discovered an unrelated breast cancer diagnosis. Navratilova has described the situation as a “double whammy,” while also saying it is “fixable.”
A Difficult Diagnosis After a Small Warning Sign
According to the details shared, the throat cancer was found after a routine biopsy connected to the swollen lymph node. That kind of discovery is a reminder that small physical changes can sometimes lead to important medical follow-up.