Christiane Amanpour Reveals Her Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis, Sends a Powerful Message to Women Everywhere
Trailblazing journalist and chief international anchor for CNN Christiane Amanpour has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Returning to broadcast after a four-week hiatus, she made the announcement on Monday night during her global-affairs program for CNN International.
“I’ve had successful major surgery to remove it, and I’m now undergoing several months of chemotherapy for the very best possible long-term prognosis, and I’m confident,” she said from her home studio in London.
“I’m telling you this in the interest of transparency but, in truth, really mostly as a shout-out to early diagnosis—to urge women to educate themselves on this disease, to get all the regular screenings and scans that you can, to always listen to your bodies, and of course, to ensure that your legitimate medical concerns are not dismissed or diminished,” she continued.
According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer, a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries and mainly develops in older women, ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Amanpour’s call to action encouraging early detection is especially vital considering that only about 20% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. When ovarian cancer is found early, about 94% of patients live longer than five years after diagnosis. While there is no conclusive screening test for ovarian cancer in women without symptoms, a pelvic exam performed by a gynecologist during an annual checkup can be a helpful tool.
By harnessing her platform as she’s done for decades, reporting from the front lines and drawing urgent attention to global crises, Amanpour is raising ovarian cancer awareness and promoting that early diagnosis can, quite literally, save lives. Leave it to Amanpour to not waste any time championing women’s health—and to do so with matchless grace and courage.
Find more information on how to check for ovarian cancer here.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
