Jacquie Beltrao thankful for family support amid devastating cancer diagnosis

Sky Sports presenter Jacquie Beltrao has bravely opened up about her health battle after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

The 55-year-old presenter, who had also fought breast cancer six years earlier, received the devastating diagnosis in June 2020.

Following a biopsy on a tiny lump below her collar bone, Jacquie discovered that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and that it was incurable.

Opening up about coming to terms with cancer and the impact it had upon her family, the television star and former gymnast recalled the moment that she broke down in tears.

“I collapsed in tears. I couldn’t believe we were back inside this nightmare again,” the presenter told the MailOnline.

Jacquie’s daughter Amelia explained to the publication that she burst into the room to see her mum in tears.

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“Mum was huddled in a corner on her phone. Then she ran upstairs to my dad and we heard: “No, no, no.”

“My brothers and I burst into the office and saw her crying into Dad’s chest — in that instant I thought anything going wrong in my life doesn’t matter any more.

During her interview, Jacquie also recalled that the family were preparing for whatever scenario was thrown their way.

She added: “I cried a lot and I’m sure the kids cried a lot. I explained that there were lots of drugs in the cupboard for Mum’s cancer but the fact is, it could kill me and they have to be prepared for that.”

After the shock of learning that the cancer had returned, Jacquie admitted that the diagnosis made her take her attention of other things in her life.

She added: “I felt as though I was losing my mind or having a nervous breakdown.

“I was so self-absorbed, I didn’t have the capacity to think whether I was being a good mother or a bad mother.

The mum of three then began a gruelling regime of chemotherapy but much to her surprise, the lump had shrunk to 50 per cent of its size and the presenter stopped therapy after her 12th session.

Instead, the former sport star has now turned her attention to maintaining her keto diet in the hopes of keeping the cancer at bay.

Maintaining her blood-sugar level means that Jacquie now pricks her finger twice a day to test her blood and she has to follow a strict diet.

Despite the highs and lows of her brave cancer battle, Jacquie is fighting the challenge head on with the support of her family.

During the interview, Jacquie and her daughter came to the conclusion that being open with difficulties was the most important feature for overcoming hurdles.

Amelia added: “We’ve both realised that being open with each other about the difficult days and the wobbles is the most important thing.”

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