Bif Naked 'ready for the fight'
Published: Sunday, January 06, 2008
VANCOUVER - Vancouver rocker Bif Naked has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The platinum-selling singer broke the news today in a candid radio interview with George Stroumboulopoulos. It comes just three months after her highly-publicized wedding to The Vancouver Sun's sports writer, Ian Walker.
Naked, whose real name is Beth Torbert, is 36. She leads a healthy lifestyle, working out regularly and maintaining a vegan diet.
"It is a very surreal situation for Ian and I at this time. Two weeks ago I was doing a self breast exam and discovered a lump. I went into my doctor for a checkup and he immediately sent me for tests, including a mammogram, which indicated a high possibility of cancer," she told Stroumboulopoulos on The Strombo Show.
"From there things have gone at what seems like light speed: biopsy, blood tests, cancer clinic. It's been two weeks from being completely healthy to cancer patient with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy scheduled."
Naked vows to take things "one day at a time" and to tackle the situation with a positive attitude.
"I have never been one to give up when an obstacle is placed in front of me. I am in the fight of my life and I'm lucky to have the support of my husband Ian, and many friends, and family members. With the help of my BodogMusic family I plan to continue working on these recording projects in between the cancer treatments and come out the other side with two great albums and a clean bill of health."
"I'm glad it's me and not my mom," she continued. "I'm glad its me and not my sister; I'm glad its me and not any of my friends. I am ready for the fight."
Naked is currently in pre-production on two new albums: her sixth album, following her 2005 release Superbeautifulmonster; and a second recording project, Jakkarta, with Spanish-born, death-metal guitarist La Machina.
"It is important for everyone to understand that cancer is non discriminatory and even those in great health can be subject to cancer as a diagnosis," the singer adds. "I urge all women at every age to self examine and go for scheduled mammograms. Early detection is the best tool in the fight against cancer."
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