Good news for Iker Casillas' wife in cancer battle

The reporter, 35, was diagnosed during a routine gynaecological visit towards the end of May, a few days before Iker's 38^th birthday and only a month after he collapsed with a heart attack during training.

Fresh from a stent implant operation in Oporto, where he now plays, Iker is resting at home and is able to be with Sara (pictured) through her ordeal, and both are said to have moved temporarily to Madrid to be near the Clínica Ruber where she is being treated.

But both are able to breathe a little more easily now Sara has been told that her operation went 'according to plan and without complications'.

She is still in treatment, although what form this takes has not been confirmed, although it is likely to involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, despite the tumour's having been discovered at a very early stage.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most fatal strains, since it is generally asymptomatic until it is at stage IV.

But Sara's medical report, signed by the five doctors in the surgical team including her main consultant, Dr Elena Carillo, says she will 'continue with medical treatment over the next few months until her complete recovery'.

After spending two hours at the hospital – where she went for her appointment alone - Sara met with her friend and fellow journalist Isabel Jiménez and with husband Iker and headed for Navalcruz (Ávila province) – Casillas' native town – for the weekend.

The Casillas-Carbonero family's children, Martín and Lucas, are said to be the focus of their lives at present and spending time with them is helping them cope with the stress of their respective illnesses.

Sara posted a heartfelt message to Lucas on Instagram four days ago, on his third birthday.

Photograph: Instagram (@saracarbonero)