Italian model Bianca Balti, who has appeared in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, revealed on Instagram that she has been diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer.
In a heartfelt post on September 15, Balti shared a candid update from her recent hospital visit, including photos and videos.
She bravely opened up about her experience, stating, “Last Sunday, I checked myself into the ER to find out that my lower abdominal pain was stage 3C ovarian cancer.”
“It’s been a week full of fear, pain and tears but mostly love, hope, laughter and strength,” Balti continued, telling her fans to “check these pics out for proof.”
“I have a long journey ahead, but I know I will beat this,” she wrote. “For myself, my loved ones (my daughters are at the top of the list), and all of you who need strength, you can borrow some of mine cause I have loads.”
Balti concluded her update, “Life happens; give it a reason. So far, cancer has given me a chance to find beauty through life’s hurdles.”
Alongside uplifting photos of loved ones and hospital staff visiting her, she shared videos documenting her hospital experience, including her movements between rooms with IV poles.
In a post-operation update, Balti reassured her followers, “I am doing so much better and I am blessed that I found out.”
She revealed that she underwent surgery and is preparing for chemotherapy, maintaining “high hopes for everything.”
Balti’s proactive approach to health began in late 2022 when a series of chance encounters prompted her to undergo genetic testing.
Discovering she carries the BRCA1 gene, she learned of her elevated cancer risks: 50% for breast cancer and 30% for ovarian cancer.
Taking preventative measures, Balti underwent a double mastectomy in December 2022.
“I wasn’t sick, yet — but I knew the chances were much higher that I would be one day. And I now had the free will to do something about it,” she told Vogue in March of the operation.
“The hardest part of this entire process has been the fear,” she told the publication. “Of finding out the diagnosis, the unknown, of taking time off work, of not knowing how my body will look.”
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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