"I'll get through this, I have a long way to go." Italian model Bianca Balti reveals she has cancer

Italian model Bianca Balti announced on her Instagram* that she had been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Two years ago, she underwent a preventive mastectomy.

Bianca Balti, 40, posted several photos from her hospital room and wrote: "Last Sunday I was admitted to the emergency room where it was discovered that the pain in my stomach was caused by stage 3 ovarian cancer. It has been a week of fear, pain and tears, but most of all, love, hope, laughter and strength. I have a long road ahead of me, but I know I will overcome it." According to her, she has so much strength that she is ready to share it with everyone who needs it, first of all, with her daughters.

Two years ago, Bianca Balti, like Angelina Jolie a few years ago, had a preventative double mastectomy after it was discovered that she had a genetic mutation called Brca1. It exponentially increases the risk of breast or ovarian cancer (or both). However, she did not have her ovaries removed because she was counting on having more children.

Bianca Balti underwent preventive surgery, as she herself said, because she was not ready to take risks: she could not afford to get sick, as she had to provide for her daughters. She has two: Matilda - from her ex-husband Christian Lucili and Mia from her current husband Matt McRae, whom she married in 2017.