Rita Ora’s mum Vera fights back tears as she opens up about cancer battle: ‘It’s still hard to talk about’

The star’s mother spoke about her experience with the disease
Safeeyah Kazi20 February 2019
The Weekender

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Rita Ora’s mum Vera Ora has opened up about her battle with breast cancer in an emotional interview on ITV's Loose Women.

The psychiatrist underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed with the disease in 2005.

Vera struggled to hold back the tears as she opened up to the panel about the illness.

She said: "I myself had breast cancer at the age of 39 and my children were small. My son was only seven. The journey I had was really tough. At a young age, treatment tends to be more rigours and prolonged.

Emotional: Vera Ora struggled to fight back the tears
Getty Images for VH1

“When it's diagnosed younger, treatment gets to be more intense and extensive. I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy and a mastectomy. Sorry, it's still hard to talk about.”

Vera, who is now the face of a post-mastectomy swimwear range with charity Future Dreams, told of how she left Kosovo to move to the UK when her now hugely successful daughter Rita was just one years old.

She added that she struggled to learn English but was left unfulfilled after being unable to carry out her profession.

Vera, who is now a psychiatrist for the NHS, said: “Back home I was a GP and had a wonderful life. I struggled to learn the language first. I arrived here and felt like nothing. Obviously I was a mum and that was important. I'm glad I spent a few years building up my knowledge to pass my English exam.”

Viewers of the show praised Vera on social media, hailing her an “inspiration” to others.

One user wrote: “Rita Ora's mum Vera is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! What a lovely and intelligent woman, Rita has been taught well. Amazed how similar they both look also.”

Rita Ora - In pictures

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Another commented: “Vera Ora.. what a totally beautiful lady... an inspiration to all. Would love to hear more from her. Rita... your Mama rocks.”

A third added: “What a truly inspirational woman @veraora is ... really loved her on @loosewomen today.”

Despite her daughter’s global success Vera added that she still sees daughter Rita in the same way, adding that will “never change.”

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