Evelina Skitsko revealed that she was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery to remove a tumor last April.

The model kept her health battle away from the public eye and about a month ago she posted on social media announcing that she had fallen ill, without sharing further details.

On Friday, December 5, she appeared on the show “Buongiorno”, speaking publicly about the symptoms that led to the diagnosis, the surgery she had, and the eight-month period during which she underwent chemotherapy.

At first, Evelina Skitsko described the day of the surgery:
“I had surgery to remove the tumor. Elena wanted to be by my side that day. The surgery took place on April 4, and I had been diagnosed about a week earlier. I was very lucky, I had an excellent team of doctors. I had colon cancer — they didn’t expect it at my age.”

Regarding the symptoms she had, which she ignored for a long time, she said:
“I had intense symptoms that I ignored for a long time. I had changes in my bowel habits — constipation, diarrhea — and a significant weight loss. I kept telling myself it was because of workouts and traveling, but it wasn’t. The symptoms were serious. My period had also stopped, and they told me it was due to travel, but I felt something was wrong.

I went to a gastroenterologist and we ran some tests. From the bowel changes I knew it was something intestinal. Through the tests we realized I was losing blood from somewhere, and he told me it would be good to have a colonoscopy to rule things out — and that’s where we found it. A biopsy was done, but I believe doctors can already sense if something is malignant.

Our body gives us signs — the issue is whether we see them. I struggled for a year. One night the bowel symptoms were extremely intense and that’s when I realized I shouldn’t ignore it anymore. I wasn’t afraid — we usually fear for others.”

Skitsko explained that everything happened very fast from diagnosis to surgery:
“I didn’t have time to realize what I had — everything happened quickly. I woke up and it was gone. Psychology is everything. I had the best team. They had told me I had the worst type of cancer, but under the best circumstances. No one expected it. I was lucky because it was in a spot where it could be removed. It was stage two and hadn’t had time to metastasize. During surgery they removed a few lymph nodes to see if they were affected. They found some small cells there, and I underwent eight months of chemotherapy. That’s when I really felt it, because it lasted. Now everything is fine.”

“I thought speaking about it was weakness and shame”

Evelina Skitsko opened up for the first time about having battled — and ultimately beaten — cancer with an Instagram post on November 16. Known from GNTM, she shared photos from her hospitalization, speaking about her fears and the strength she gained from the experience. Major support came from Elena Christopoulou and her loved ones.

She explained that at first she found it difficult to speak publicly about something so personal, believing it might be seen as weakness or embarrassment. Her mindset changed when she realized how many people face similar struggles.

In the caption of her post she wrote:
“I never believed the day would come when I would speak publicly about something so personal. I thought it was weakness and shame. I also thought talking about something so personal is very sensitive for everyone. Until I saw how many people, young and old, go through the same thing. That’s when I realized how many of us there are. I realized it’s not weakness but strength — my strongest weapon that I’ll always carry with me.

That’s when I understood how much strength someone has when they fight every day to stay standing. Some heroes manage to come out victorious and others sadly don’t. That’s the reality. But they are heroes — my heroes for sure. And the heroes we must appreciate and admire: doctors, nurses, assistants… heroes! By your side at every fall and every step you climb. A mountain ahead of you, but every day step by step until you rise.”

She continued:
“We are many. Unfortunately, that’s the reality. But know this — you’re not alone. We all fight every day, until we become winners. And even then, we keep fighting. For ourselves, for our family, for our friends, for our people. As long as you don’t give up. Don’t ever stop fighting. The mind and our own self are the worst enemy — not the illness. You may fall… but you can stand up again! Cancer exists among us. It’s harsh — but you are even stronger! Because when you conquer your thoughts, know that you have already won. As long as you believe and don’t give up.”