The subject is often considered taboo, yet its implications have profoundly impacted countless lives. Nonetheless, two accomplished female athletes are bravely sharing their personal journeys, serving as inspirational figures to others. Ann-Katrin Berger and Jennifer Beattie, notable names within women’s football, have publicly shared how they battled cancer. Both players have had impactful careers, known for their powerful headers and breathtaking saves, but their journeys go beyond the field of play.
Formerly associated with Chelsea and Arsenal, Berger and Beattie have ventured into new phases of their careers. Departing from their respective London clubs, the National Women’s Soccer League welcomed both players to the United States. These unexpected transitions saw Beattie sign with Bay FC in February, while Berger secured her place at Gotham, signing a one-year contract with the club in April.
In 2017, Ann-Katrin Berger received her initial diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, underwent treatment, and achieved remission. However, her journey took a turn during the 2022 Women’s European Championship. Berger was named in Germany’s roster for the 2022 Euros, though she did not feature in the matches. Germany advanced to the final before a memorable defeat to England. Amid Germany’s remarkable journey to the final, Berger received the devastating news that her cancer had returned after four years cancer free.
In an interview with Sky News’ Lynsey Hopper, Berger detailed the diagnosis, explaining:
“After the biopsy, I had to do an MRI and CT scan and that’s almost like the last step. I knew already then that it wasn’t going to work, its coming back or its back. That was a couple days before the Euro final.”
Berger chose not to disclose the news to her fellow German teammates, opting to keep the devastating news private.
“I wanted to keep it to myself” she explained, “obviously close ones, my family and everything, they started to know something was wrong but at that time, my team didn’t know because they had to focus on the Euros.”
Also, Berger took to Instagram to announce the news, emphasising:
“I’ve said it before that as a sportsperson you have to fight every day to be the best you can be and that’s something I will continue to do.”
Berger acknowledged the support she received from her former Chelsea head coach, Emma Hayes, during her conversation with Hopper.
“Emma [Hayes] was really helpful when I told her”, Berger recalled. “Straight away, she asked ‘what can we do to help you, make it quicker, make it better, make it whatever you need.”
She also praised her former Chelsea teammate and fiancé, Jess Carter, highlighting her resilience throughout the ordeal.
“She’s a little bit similar to me as well, we deal with the situation when it’s here and during the Euro’s, she supported me throughout that as well,” Berger added. “She’s probably the toughest one, she was like ‘don’t worry about her, she will be fine’. She has had a different approach and she’s a tough one.”
Highlighting the mental hurdles encountered on such a journey is crucial. Berger detailed how her professional career became a lifeline for her mental well-being during the time in which she battled cancer. During her interview with Hooper she reflected:
“Football saved my brain and saved my mental health because I had something to hold on to. I think that’s the main message from me for anyone who is going through anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s illness, mental health or anything, if you hold onto something and for me, it was football.”
Similarly, former Arsenal player Jennifer Beattie, opened up about her own personal battle with Breast Cancer. One of Scotland’s most accomplished players, with 140 international caps, Beattie added an MBE to her achievements. Beattie was awarded with the honour in recognition of her journey that illustrated her resilience on the field but also highlighted her strength in confronting significant challenges off the pitch.
In 2020, amid the pandemic, Beattie received a Breast Cancer diagnosis that changed her life. In an interview with Women’s Health UK, she recalled how the diagnosis caught her off guard.
“I have no family history,” she revealed, “I went to my doctor, I knew something didn’t feel okay, but I knew I needed to get it checked. It was never the diagnosis I expected or wanted.”
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is challenging at any time but undergoing such an experience during isolation and social distancing added further difficulty. Beattie expressed:
“It was definitely the most difficult part of my life going through that through covid.“
She continued:
“You know finding that information out alone in a room with just a doctor was… scary.”
Beattie described how football became her refuge. Similar to Berger, she emphasised her gratitude by saying:
“I do feel so grateful that I was able to go to work because that was my outlet… it made me feel like I was still normal.”
However, throughout this challenging time, Beattie acknowledged her former Arsenal teammates, acknowledging the club’s crucial role in facilitating her treatment and offering their guidance and support. She has since announced her cancer-free status, yet remains mindful of her past and the reminders she encounters daily. Reflecting on her scars with Women’s Health UK, she said:
“I had no shame it’s a part of my journey. I still look at them in the mirror and remember that time,” she added “I don’t hide them… I’m proud to have gotten through that.”
Both Berger and Beattie have openly discussed the obstacles they have encountered whilst they battled cancer, aiming to become sources of inspiration to those impacted by the disease. Beattie expressed her belief that raising awareness about the disease was her most important contribution. Speaking with BBC Sport, Beattie expressed:
“It’s important to use the platform I have playing for Scotland and at club level to voice my experience and what I went through, to try to encourage people to go to GP’s and hospitals to get these things checked.”
Similarly, Berger has opened up to BBC Sports about her position.
“I actually quite like to talk about it. It’s a topic nobody likes to talk about but in my position, I think I can help people.”
She continued,
“Whatever your main focus is – and mine was football – you can achieve everything you want too. That’s why I think it’s really important for me to be open. I did it, so why can’t everyone else?”
Berger and Beattie are among the notable women’s footballers who have faced such challenges, yet they are not the only ones. Recently, Orlando Pride announced that midfielder Luana has been sidelined for the season due to a diagnosis with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The club expressed solidarity with Luana on a heartfelt Instagram post, stating:
“We’re with you, Luana. You’ve already won this battle. You’ve got the whole squad, city and league in this fight with you.”
Jen Beattie and her teammates from Bay FC responded to the devastating news, sharing a heartfelt video on the club’s Instagram.
“We’re with you all the way,” Beattie affirmed. “Whatever you need, we’ve got you.”
Another remarkable story is that of Columbian international Linda Caicedo. Caicedo captured the spotlight during the 2023 Women’s World Cup with her incredible performances, yet she has already overcome significant adversity. Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 15, she persevered to achieve her football dreams, earning a call up in Colombia’s World Cup roster. She was named Player of the Match in Colombia’s 2-1 victory over Germany, at just 18 years old. Caicedo is another top footballer who battled cancer and continued to play football.
It is important to acknowledge the inspirational figures in women’s football who have faced such challenges. Their willingness to share their experiences offers crucial support to women across all levels of the sport, from grassroots to professional leagues.
Photo – https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/jen-beattie-arsenal-fc-poses-796223588.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=1920&h=1080&crop=1
Sky News Interview with AKB: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/35730/12736270/chelsea-women-goalkeeper-ann-katrin-berger-on-her-thyroid-cancer-return-and-how-football-saved-her
Beattie’s Interview with Women’s Health UK:
AKB Interview with BBC: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64702645
Beattie’s Interview with BBC: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59040954
