Veteran CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour has revealed that her ovarian cancer has returned, three years after she was first diagnosed and treated in 2021.
The 67-year-old journalist, who has been absent from air for the past month, made the disclosure on the Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story podcast. She explained that the recurrence was in a “fairly rare form” and assured her audience that it is being “very well managed.”
“I have it again, but it’s being very well-managed, and this is one of the whole things that people have to understand about some cancers,” Amanpour said.
She shared that she chose to publicly discuss her condition after returning to television because she wanted to help others going through similar experiences.
“I decided to say something because I actually wanted to do a service — not just to my viewers, but also to those who might be in a similar situation,” she said. “I wanted to say, listen to your body, because part of the reason I got such quick care was because I listened to my body and went straight to the doctors.”
Amanpour, who appeared on the podcast alongside Dr. Angela George, a gynaecology oncology consultant, disclosed that her current diagnosis is “stage 1/2”, meaning the cancer is still in its early stage but had adhered to her pelvis.
She said she felt “lucky” to have noticed early symptoms, as ovarian cancer often develops silently.
“Angela told me what it was and why I was potentially lucky because there were actually pain symptoms. There’s often no symptoms, so many women don’t know,” she noted.
Amanpour first revealed her ovarian cancer diagnosis in June 2021, when she told viewers that she had undergone surgery and was preparing for chemotherapy.
“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 at the time.
She also emphasized how early detection and access to quality healthcare played key roles in her recovery.
“I feel fortunate to have health insurance through work and incredible doctors who are treating me in a country underpinned by the brilliant NHS,” she added.
The award-winning journalist, who joined CNN in 1983 and serves as the network’s chief international anchor, urged women worldwide to prioritize their health through regular screenings and self-awareness.
“I’m telling you this in the interest of transparency but mostly as a shoutout to early diagnosis,” she said. “Educate yourselves about this disease, get regular screenings and scans, always listen to your body, and make sure your medical concerns are never dismissed.”
