Power of Support During Cancer
- Tennis stars Chris Evert, 68, and Martina Navratilova, 66, both broke records on the tennis court and became Grand Slam champions. However, their friendship grew over the years off the tennis court.
- As cancer survivors, the two women supported each other through their respective journeys.
- Navratilova battled breast cancer twice, as well as throat cancer. Today, she is happily cancer free.
- Evert learned she had the BRCA mutation that increases a woman’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and then had a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts) to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer.
- Navratilova and Evert were key parts of each other's support group. Support groups can be made up of loved ones, a group of strangers battling a shared disease, or mental health professionals.
- Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says supporters of cancer patients should prepare themselves for a wide range of emotions a cancer diagnosis can spawn. "People can have a range of emotions…they can include fear, anger…and these emotions tend to be fluid."
Tennis icons Chris Evert, 68, and Martina Navratilova, 66, have been part of each other's lives on and off the tennis court for decades. Amid their 36 combined Grand Slam singles titles, it was their respective cancer battles that brought them closer together and fueled their life-long friendship in recent years.
"The very first thing I thought of was, if I'm going to go through these trenches with anybody, Martina would be the person I'd want to go through them with," Evert said to the Washington Post about her cancer journey.
When either of these genes is altered, that mutation can mean that its protein product does not function properly, or that damaged DNA may not be repaired correctly.
Dr. Rebecca Arend, Associate Scientist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, explains the mutation in terms of its ability to repair damaged DNA: "What a BRCA mutation is, is a defect in your ability to repair a double-strand break (in your DNA)." The BRCA mutation (which is passed on from a father or a mother), can cause a variety of cancers, including fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer, which are ovarian cancers.
Navratilova's successful tennis career in many ways mirrors her close friend Evert. Her career began in 1975 and lasted for three decades until 2006. According to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, "Since 1968 when the Open Era began, no male or female player won more singles tournaments than Navratilova (167), doubles events (177), or matches (2,189)."
Navratilova’s record includes nine Wimbledon Ladies Singles Championships. After retirement, Navratilova became a tennis commentator. She also shares with Evert the title of a cancer survivor.
She first battled breast cancer in 2010, and then overcame a recurrence of the disease, as well as throat cancer, in 2023.
How Cancer Brought Friends Closer Together
As elite tennis players, Evert and Navratilova were used to high stakes and overcoming insurmountable odds. However, both of their cancer journeys tested their mettle.
After receiving their cancer diagnosis, both women admitted they first called each other for support.
"I think because we were there for each other before, we kind of knew what to do or what not to do, instinctively, even though this was a first," Navratilova said.
The two friends have been there for each other since early in their careers. They developed a 15-year professional rivalry while vying for the top titles in tennis. Their friendship off the tennis court developed and strengthened over time. They were neighbors living mere minutes away from each other in Florida. They've also been there for each other during times of adversity.
In 2010, Navratilova was diagnosed with noninvasive breast cancer. At the time, the tennis champion admitted she had not received a mammogram in four years leading up to her diagnosis.
A mammogram is the primary test doctors use to screen for breast cancer.
After sharing the news with Evert, Navratilova received a necklace from Evert that had three rings of white gold signifying their friendship.
"I guess I'm kind of the guy in our relationship, giving her jewelry", Evert jokingly said explaining the token of support.
Navratilova would wear it all the time and only took the necklace off when she would receive treatment for cancer again.
Then, in December 2023, Evert was diagnosed with ovarian cancer diagnosis in December 2021. Her diagnosis followed the heartbreaking passing of her sister who bravely battled ovarian cancer until February 2020.
The term ovarian cancer refers to several different tumors that grow in the ovary. The ovaries produce the sex hormone, estrogen, as well as eggs. Many ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes. A few cancerous cells first grow on the fallopian tubes and then, as the fallopian tubes brush over the ovary, these cells stick to the ovaries and eventually grow to form a tumor.
Evert said her sister, Jeanne, had a BRCA gene mutation variant, and the tennis star was then urged to get a genetic test to confirm if she had the BRCA gene mutation.
"Within days I had a simple blood test that confirmed I had the same BRCA-1 variant Jeanne did. I immediately scheduled a preventive hysterectomy," Evert said in a column she penned for ESPN.
Evert's test results revealed she had "malignant cells and a tumor" in her left fallopian tube.
After learning she had cancer, Evert told her friend Navratilova.
"Jesus. I guess we're taking this to a whole new level," Navratilova said.
"Because it was just so ironic," Evert responded to their shared cancer experiences.
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"As a top-level athlete, you think you're going to live to a hundred and that you can rehab it all…And then you realize, 'I can't rehab this.' So sharing that fear was easy easier with her than anybody else," Navratilova said.
"I was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer, and I immediately began six rounds of chemotherapy. Today, I’m cancer-free, and there’s a 90% chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back," Evert said.
"With ovarian cancer, the standard of care is a very, very effective chemotherapy," gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology Dr. Dana Chase tells SurvivorNet.
"Meaning we give you chemotherapy when you first have your diagnosis of ovarian cancer– 80% chance that you go into remission. So 80%, I consider pretty good for cancer therapy," Dr. Chase adds.
Evert also had a preventive double mastectomy, which is the removal of both breasts.
MORE: Is a Preventive Mastectomy Right for Me?
"A double mastectomy typically takes about two hours for the cancer part of the operation, the removing of the tissue," Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. "The real length, the total length of the surgery, can often depend on what type of reconstruction [a patient] has."
Dr. Port notes that these days, most women do opt to have some sort of reconstruction. The length of these surgeries can vary a great deal. When implants are used, the procedure can take two to three hours (so the total surgery time would be around five hours). There is also the option to take one's own tissue (usually from the belly area) and transfer it into the breast area but this is a much longer procedure.
In January 2023, Navratilova announced that she had both breast cancer, again, as well as throat cancer.
“Oral cancers develop on the tongue, on the tissue lining the mouth and gums, under the tongue, at the base of the tongue, and the area of the throat at the back of the mouth,” according to the National Institute of Health.
A biopsy revealed Navratilova had a cancerous lymph node confirming she had stage 1 throat cancer. She immediately told Evert she had cancer again.
"Can you believe it! It's in my throat," Navratilova said to her beloved friend.
Navratilova underwent radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams to target and kill cancer cells. During these treatments, she would remove the necklace.
She also underwent several rounds of chemotherapy.
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WATCH: What Happens During a Double Mastectomy?
Since battling cancer, Navratilova has since declared she was "cancer-free," CBS News reports.
Power of Support
"With all the experiences we had, winning and losing and comforting each other, I think we ended up having more compassion for each other than anybody in the world could have," Evert said.
Fortunately for the legendary tennis stars, they had each other to offer support during one of the most challenging moments a person can experience. A cancer diagnosis can be extremely stressful. One way SurvivorNet experts encourage cancer patients to alleviate some of that stress by leaning on their support system.
A support system can be made up of loved ones like family and friends. It can also be comprised of strangers who have come together because of a shared cancer experience. Mental health professionals can also be critical parts of a support system.
WATCH: Sharing details about your cancer diagnosis.
"Some people don't need to go outside of their family and friend's circle. They feel like they have enough support there," psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet.
"But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it's important to reach out to a mental health professional," Dr. Plutchik added.
Dr. Plutchik also stressed it is important for people supporting cancer warriors to understand their emotions can vary day-to-day.
"People can have a range of emotions…they can include fear, anger…and these emotions tend to be fluid. They can recede and return based on where someone is in the process," Dr. Plutchik said.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, here are some questions you can ask your doctor.
- What can I do to prepare for a double mastectomy?
- What happens before and after the procedure?
- What are the benefits of using implants over my own tissue and vice versa?
- What will recovery look like after the procedure?
- Are there local support groups or therapists who specialize in helping people struggling with a chronic condition?
- Can mental health be part of my treatment plan so I get the support I need?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.