Pro soccer star Toni Pressley, 29, who plays defense for the Orlando Pride, says she doesn’t want anyone feeling sorry for her after her cancer diagnosis. We’ve seen a lot of athlete’s who are able to make really quick recoveries from cancer and get back to their sports. Pressley, like a lot of professional sports players, seems to be doing everything she can in order to keep her eye on the prize of getting back on the field as soon as possible.
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Read MorePlease do not feel sorry for me.
Everything happens for a reason and
Im lucky to have found out when I did.If I can help at least woman, this will have all been worth it.
Toni Deion Pressley (@Toni_Deion) August 7, 2019
And Toni’s supporters were eager to comment on her tweet with love for her incredible strength during this time.
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“So much love and respect for you and your strength.”
“What an amazing woman you are, I wish you a quick recovery.”
Some assured her that she would indeed help a lot of people, “You will help many more than that.”
And one supporter simply wrote, “Badass.”
Pressley also said in an earlier post that she’s going to be back on the field before we know it. “Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I feel incredibly lucky to have the support of my club, teammates, our supporters, and my loved ones,” she wrote in a tweet, which the Orlando Pride rewteeted. “I am in good hands at @orlandohealth. I will be back soon.” She ended the post with a purple heart — the team’s color — and a strong arm emoji. She also used a photo of herself on the field looking determined.
Thank you everyone for your well wishes.
I feel incredibly lucky to have the support of my club, teammates, our supporters, and my loved ones.”
I am in good hands at @orlandohealth
I will be back soon ???????????? pic.twitter.com/nHluikEx0F
Toni Deion Pressley (@Toni_Deion) August 7, 2019
The Portland Thorns soccer team commented on the post, writing “The entire NWSL family is behind you in this fight, Toni.”
While others sent words of encouragement and support, “Wishing you all the best, Toni. Prayers your way! kick cancers ass!”
“We have no doubt that you will kick cancer's ass! You got this”
Most of the comments included purple hearts, to show pride for Toni’s team.
Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) August 7, 2019
This comes after her team tweeted their support for Toni in the form of an emotional quote from the team’s manager.
“‘On behalf of everyone at the Club, I would like to extend our unconditional support to Toni, her family and the members of our Orlando Pride family throughout the entirety of the treatment process.’ -Pride General Manager Erik Ustruck,” the tweet read.
“On behalf of everyone at the Club, I would like to extend our unconditional support to Toni, her family and the members of our Orlando Pride family throughout the entirety of the treatment process.” -Pride General Manager Erik Ustruck pic.twitter.com/RnvzGKVITT
Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) August 7, 2019
A healthy lifestyle does reduce cancer risk
Even though people in spectacular physical condition do get cancer, it’s important to know that living a healthy lifestyle does decrease your risk.
Eating healthy and exercising reduces overall cancer risk by 12 percent, according to a large study published in the journal Cancer Research last July. The study also noted a 14 percent drop in breast cancer risk and a 12 percent drop in prostate cancer risk for people living a healthy lifestyle.
According to the study, which involved 41,000 volunteers in France who provided information about their diet, what you eat and drink overall, and how much you exercise is more important than any one category in which you indulge (i.e chocolate or red meat). The information emphasized the role of an overall healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Dr. Elizabeth Comen, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and medical advisor to SurvivorNet on the relationship healthy living and cancer risk
But none of this is really new, Dr. Elizabeth Comen, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and medical advisor to SurvivorNet told us at the time. "There will never be a study that says, 'Hey, you know what, if you eat fast food every day you're going to reduce your risk of cancer,'" she says.
The study simply proves that what we knew about healthy eating, exercise and weight is definitely true in terms of how these factors affect cancer risk. "What that means for you as an individual is important to talk about with your doctor," Comen said. Together, you can figure how to incorporate what we know is right into your own individual lifestyle, she says.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
