Arsenal and Scotland star Jen Beattie has been receiving treatment for breast cancer this year.
The 29-year-old was given the news in October but has since played for both Arsenal and Scotland. She’s made four appearances for the Gunners in the Women’s Super League and also featured for Shelley’s Kerr’s national side.
Beattie had a biopsy earlier this year and received her diagnosis just days later, having surgery to remove a lump in her breast. She was also given a treatment plan to help with her recovery, not requiring chemotherapy after her surgery as the cancer hadn’t spread.
Speaking about the diagnosis, Beattie said (BBC): “I’ll be honest, you automatically think the worst. I asked the question: ‘Am I going to die?’
“It was complete panic and disbelief and I was scared. That was the overriding factor throughout the whole process. You never think anything like that is going to happen to you.
“You probably think, as a sportsperson, not that you’re going to be immune, but that it’s never going to be as close to home as yourself. I know people are maybe scared to go to the hospital and scared to get checked out because of Covid, but there are still ways to do it,” said Beattie.
“I have friends who work in the NHS and they’ve said diagnoses have gone down massively for cancer this year, and that scares me so much, knowing that people are sitting at home and can maybe feel things but are too scared to go in.
“Whether you’re 29 or 79, it doesn’t really matter and you might have to deal with it at some point. You may live the healthiest lifestyle possible, but you still need to go and get these things checked and be really conscious.
“Even if it is still a horrible process to go through, it can be a much better ending if you just go and get checked.”
Scotland boss Kerr added: “Jen’s announcement demonstrates incredible bravery to talk about a difficult subject and the struggles she has gone through recently.
“She is an incredible player and a brilliant role model for youngsters. At the Scotland National Team we are all behind her and wish her well.”
Visit NHS Inform to find out more about breast cancer and the symptoms