Arsenal defender Jennifer Beattie has revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. In an interview with BBC Sport the 29-year old Scottish international centre-half said, “You automatically think the worst. I asked the question, ‘Am I going to die?’ that’s what I asked them.
“I was grateful because they allowed my club doctor to be in appointments with me to ask all the right medical questions, because I didn’t have a clue.” When Jen scored against Brighton back in October, an extra level of emotion was apparent in the celebrations, with every member of the team running towards her.
It's a third for @ArsenalWFC! @jbeattie91 at the back post 💥#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/MASYTqDQyZ
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) October 11, 2020
“The girls here were just unbelievable,” Beattie said. “I feel like it’s moments like these or times like these where you realise why you play sport. It really is like being part of a family away from family.
“I don’t know what I would have done without them. That’s the staff and the players. They’ve all been unbelievable. The support I’ve had down here has got me through it, for sure.”
The full interview will be aired in the UK on BBC’s Football Focus programme at 12noon today.
You can find out more about breast cancer and, more specifically, early diagnosis here.
I remember noticing the atmopshere to be so different when she scored. At the time I thought oh it’s Jen, of course they’ll be excited she scores. Doesn’t do that too often… It’s a whole different feeling now. I love how they’re all smiling including Jen. I can’t imagine going through it, let alone in the public eye, let alone being away from family. I hope she’s a Gunner for life.
Glad to see she has made a full recovery and obviously very well thought of by her team mates.
Very pleased she’s managed to recover from this, certainly puts some things in perspective. Nice to hear the club and doctors were also there to support at what must’ve been an awful time.
Damn, this has me pretty emotional. My wife went through this herself a while back, not much older than Jen is now, and the level of shock and distress the diagnosis causes is pretty overwhelming, along with all the waiting, the tests, surgery, treatment–whatever one has to go through.
So it’s upsetting to hear this, but also a great relief that she is doing better now. Wishing her the best of health going forward!
I hope your wife is doing well.
She is, thanks!
Fantastic. All power to you both.
Bless you Jen🤗and well done the AWFC family being with you.
It just shows that some things are more important than football…Wishing Jen a full recovery and a cancer free life henceforth
Thank you Stillberto and blogs for the article and raising awareness with the link at the bottom ❤ hope everyone is checking themselves regularly ❤
Must have been a tough time for Beats but all credit to her for going public. Makes sense now why what seemed a minor injury as reported at the time took so long to overcome.
Anything high profile personalities, be they in professional sport or other industries, can do to raise awareness of breast cancer has to be a good thing.
Men can get it too, you know!