Lance Armstrong inspired me to fight cancer: Yuvraj

Gurgaon, Apr 11 (ANI): Cricketer Yuvraj Singh on Wednesday said he was inspired by tour de France winner Lance Armstrong during his treatment for a rare germ cell cancer between his lungs.

Armstrong, an American former professional cyclist, won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times after surviving testicular cancer.

Yuvraj, who returned home from the United States on Monday, said he was lucky that his cancer was detected at an early stage.

Addressing the media for the first time ever since he was diagnosed with the disease, Yuvraj said he was shocked to learn that he had cancer.

"My mother and friends were with me during the chemotherapy. Cyclist and cancer survivor Armstrong inspired me. My mother was my strength. My mother did not shed a tear. She has been stronger than me.," said Yuvraj.

"I had breathing problems during the World Cup. Was lucky that my cancer was detected early," he added.

Yuvraj further said he went through a very tough time during his treatment.

"I have gone through a very tough time, need to recuperate. The kind of cancer I had was very hard to diagnose. I was in denial initially. I went straight away for treatment. I still have scars," he said.

Talking about his plans to return to the cricketing field, Yuvraj said that it would take him at least two more months to be back in action.

"I have always been positive. I was positive even when chemo was on. Hopefully in a couple of months I will be back on the field," he said.

Yuvraj, who was adjudged the player of the tournament at the 2011 ICC World Cup, had gone to the United States for treatment in January this year.

He was diagnosed with a golf ball-sized non-malignant tumour. However, later in February, the doctors told him that he was suffering from 'mediastinal seminoma'.

Singh, 30, underwent three sessions of chemotherapy in Indianapolis at the I. U. Simon Cancer Centre at the Indiana University Medical Centre in the care Lawrence H Einhorn, who had in 1996 headed the treatment of cycling champion Lance Armstrong, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer. (ANI)