Bianca Balti is ready to open up about her ovarian cancer diagnosis.
The 40-year-old Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model shared a health update with her followers on Sunday, September 15, after voluntarily going to the hospital.
“Last Sunday, I checked myself into the ER to find out that my lower abdominal pain was stage 3C ovarian cancer,” Balti wrote via Instagram. “It’s been a week full of fear, pain and tears but mostly love, hope, laughter, and strength. (check these pics out for proof, lol).”
Despite her diagnosis, Balti appeared to be in good spirits as she shared selfies with healthcare workers and loved ones visiting her at the hospital.
“I have a long journey ahead, but I know I will beat this,” her post continued. “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.”
Bianca Balti. Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
According to the Mayo Clinic, ovarian cancer is described as a growth of cells that forms in the ovaries. The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. Treatment tends to involve surgery and chemotherapy.
“Life happens; give it a reason,” Balti said when sharing her diagnosis. “So far, cancer has given me a chance to find beauty through life’s hurdles.”
Bianca Balti. Courtesy of Bianca Balti/Instagram
In a series of Instagram Stories posted on Monday, September 16, Balti shared photos of her mom delivering sunflowers and her friends visiting with snacks from Erewhon.
She also thanked fans for all their support as she embarks on a new health chapter. “Grazie per tutti i messaggi,” she wrote in Italian, which translates to, “Thanks for all your messages.”
Bianca Balti. Courtesy of Bianca Balti/Instagram
This isn’t the first time Balti has made her health a priority. In late 2022, the model discovered she is a carrier for the BRCA1 gene. She learned she had a 50 percent chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer and a 30 percent chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
As a result, she underwent a preventative double mastectomy in December 2022.
“I wasn’t sick, yet — but I knew the chances were much higher that I would be one day,” she told Vogue in March. “I now had the free will to do something about it.”
Many celebrities have spoken out about their personal battles with breast cancer over the years. Julia Louis-Dreyfus went public with her breast cancer diagnosis in September 2017 via Instagram. Nearly one year later, she had successfully beaten the illness and returned to work on Veep. “It sounds kind of corny, but there’s something about after […]
Just weeks before her latest diagnosis, Balti shared how special the past few months have been for her.
Whether enjoying tropical vacations with her two daughters or working with world famous brands like Montblanc and Havaianas x Dolce & Gabbana, the Italian model made it clear that, “It’s only getting better.”
“Bye Summer!” she wrote via Instagram on September 1. “God only knows how good you’ve been to me ✈️🌅🧳🚢🏝️👯♀️💘🪩💃🕺📚⛱️☀️ #bestsummerofmylife.”