Miss Venezuela Dies of Breast Cancer

Eva Ekvall represented Venezuela in the 2001 Miss Universe in Puerto Rico where she placed third runner up, she was only 18 years old then. She died last December 17, 2011, at the age of 28 from Breast Cancer. She was married and had a 2-year-old daughter.

Eva Ekvall, former Miss Venezuela and Miss Universe third runner up (2000), succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 28 making her one of the youngest women to die from this dreaded disease. Ekvall was married to radio producer, John Fabio Bermudez, and had a 2-year-old daughter. Eva's mother, also named Eva, died of breast cancer too at the young age of 39.


Ekvall worked as a model, actress and a television anchor. She also published a book "Out of Focus" detailing her struggle with cancer. She had fought the disease before the eyes of the Venezuelan people as her  photographs while undergoing chemotherapy, double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery were released to the public through her book to raise public awareness about breast cancer. Her most remembered words after becoming a spokesperson for a Cancer Awareness group in Venezuela: "I don't want young women to be as ignorant as I was".

So now we know that nobody is safe from this chronic illness, and who says that only single and older women acquired cancer? Diseases never choose a particular victim, whether you are a beauty queen, a prominent individual, ordinary or untouchable, rich or poor, popular and plain, no one can tell who will be the next to acquire cancer.

So the best way to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle, but even this habit never guarantees anymore because of so many factors affecting health. Exercise, eating the right foods (plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and fish, less meat and processed foods), avoiding alcohol and smoking and get enough sleep and rest, are some of the best prevention to take according to health experts.