**Rita Ora Reveals Impact of Mother’s Cancer Battle on Her Own Health Anxiety**
Singer Rita Ora has spoken candidly about how her mother’s experience with breast cancer deeply affected her own mental and emotional wellbeing, leading to hypochondria that carried into her adult life.
Ora, now 34, was only 13 years old in 2005 when her mother, Vera, received her breast cancer diagnosis. Vera’s gruelling journey through treatment involved a partial mastectomy, followed by intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Witnessing her mother’s ordeal at such a formative age left an indelible mark, pushing Rita to become extremely vigilant about her own health.
Opening up during an episode of Davina McCall’s *Begin Again* podcast, Ora described how learning of cancer statistics and seeing her mother’s struggle at close range triggered persistent fears about her own health. “The statistics around breast cancer are overwhelming, and it definitely made me more conscious,” she explained. “I started getting checked often – maybe too often. That experience with Mum definitely shaped how I view my own body and health.”
It was only later, she revealed, that she recognised the extent to which these fears were affecting her day-to-day life. Ora credits therapy with helping her understand the connection between her upbringing and her health anxiety. “I realised that maybe I was visiting doctors more than I needed to,” she said. “It all goes back to seeing what my mum went through – all the treatments, the uncertainty. I wanted to be there for her, but I didn’t notice the effect on me until much later.”
Vera, who was just 39 at the time of her diagnosis, has now been cancer-free since 2010. However, Rita admits the emotional challenges lingered long after her mother finished treatment. “Watching someone you look up to so much go through something like that was really tough,” she reflected. “When you’re a child, you think your parents are invincible. Seeing that illusion crumble right in front of you is hard to process.”
Despite the upheaval, Rita’s parents worked hard to provide stability and normalcy during Vera’s treatment. Rita recalls how she continued to attend school, with her parents striving to keep routines in place despite the ongoing health crisis at home. “My mum wanted me to focus on my education, even when she was undergoing all this. It was a difficult time for both of them, balancing treatment with everything else life threw at us,” she said.
The multi-platinum artist also highlighted the long-term psychological effects that a cancer diagnosis can have, not just on patients but on their families. She revealed her mother still experiences post-traumatic stress, particularly during routine medical check-ups. “Mum still gets anxious every time she goes in for a check-up. There’s always this fear of what if? That worry doesn’t fade easily – it’s a kind of PTSD,” Ora commented. “For anyone who’s lived through something like that, the fear can feel never-ending.”
Experts often note that health scares within a family can foster lasting anxiety, especially in children and adolescents still forming their understanding of safety and vulnerability. Ora’s candid reflections echo the experiences of many families dealing with major illnesses and the invisible ripples they create.
Despite these challenges, Rita Ora’s story is one of resilience and ongoing self-discovery. Her openness offers comfort and connection to fans and listeners facing similar fears, and shines a light on the often-overlooked mental health impact of serious medical diagnoses within families.