Miss Universe model Daniela Nicolás, 31, reveals she's been diagnosed with cervical cancer in a heartbreaking video - as she opens up about 'chaotic, distressing' illness and the toll it has taken

Miss Universe model Daniela Nicolás, 31, has revealed that she is battling cervical cancer in a heartbreaking video shared on social media. 

The stunning beauty queen admitted to followers that she has been hiding her diagnosis for 'months', candidly confessing that she didn't feel capable of discussing it so publicly while struggling to come to terms with it herself.  

Daniela, who participated as Miss Chile in the 2020 Miss Universe competition, which was held in 2021 after COVID pandemic delays, explained in the clip shared with her 600,000 Instagram fans: 'I didn't want it to be known.

'I have not been having a very good time the last few months. 

Miss Universe model Daniela Nicolás has revealed that she is battling cervical cancer 

The 31-year-old said she has been hiding her diagnosis 'for months.' Daniela, who participated in Miss Universe in 2020, explained: 'I didn't want it to be known'

The former Miss Chile took to Instagram to tell her 600,000 followers about her treatment

'I didn't want to share it with you because I didn't feel ready. I do not feel prepared to talk about this topic.

'It has been a difficult few months, a little chaotic, a little distressing, and before talking with you, I first had to be okay, and I really wasn't.'

Speaking about her decision to finally speak out, Nicolás explained that she wanted to ensure the news of her diagnosis was shared in her own words, so that it wouldn't be misconstrued or misunderstood. 

'If this is going to be known, I'd prefer it if it came from a responsible side,' she went on. 

'This is why I'm talking about it now - it's not because I didn't want to.

'I have been resisting for a long time, but it was because I didn't want it to be common knowledge.

'I wanted to keep it among my friends and family.'

The model did not reveal any further details about her diagnosis, but made it clear she has been undergoing treatment for several months. 

Nicolás competed in the 2020 Miss Universe competition (seen), which was held in March 2021 after being delayed amid the COVID pandemic  

The model said: 'I have not been having a very good time the last few months. I didn't want to share it with you because I didn't feel ready. I do not feel prepared to talk about this topic'

She continued: 'It has been a difficult few months, a little chaotic, a little distressing, and before talking with you, I first had to be okay, and I really wasn't'

Nicolás added: 'If this is going to be known, I'd prefer it if it came from a responsible side. This is why I'm talking about it now - it's not because I didn't want to'

Although she did not share any details about how her cancer was discovered, the model revealed that she was about to undergo an hour-long consultation with her doctor and asked her followers to 'wish me luck.' 

One fan commented: 'Daniela, all the best energy for you. I know what you are experiencing in terms of health.'

Another said: 'Everything will be fine.'

Javi wrote: 'Sending you good energy [to] the most beautiful Dani in the world. We adore you.'

Nicolás has previously spoken about her health problems with rheumatoid arthritis, which has led to her being hospitalized several times.

According to the National Cancer Institute: 'Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix.'

There are two types of cervical cancer - squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and both are 'named after the type of cell where the cancer started.

'Most cervical cancers (up to 90 per cent) are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers develop from cells in the ectocervix.

One fan commented: 'Daniela, all the best energy for you. I know what you are experiencing in terms of health'

'Cervical adenocarcinomas develop in the glandular cells of the endocervix. 

'Clear cell adenocarcinoma, also called clear cell carcinoma, or mesonephroma, is a rare type of cervical adenocarcinoma.'

When both types of cells are involved, it is called mixed carcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma.

Cervical cancer treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the World Health Organization, 'cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around 660,000 new cases, and around 350,000 deaths in 2022.'