CNN’s chief international anchor, Christiane Amanpour revealed on Monday that she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
The made the revelation during her programme by thanking colleagues like Bianna Golodryga for “holding down the fort” while she’d been away during the previous four weeks.
“During that time, like millions of women around the world, I’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 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,” the British anchor revealed. “I’m also fortunate to have health insurance through work and incredible doctors who are treating me in a country underpinned by, of course, the brilliant [United Kingdom National Health Service].”
Amanpour explained that she’s revealing her diagnosis for “transparency,” but also to encourage early diagnostic screenings for women around the world.
After speaking about her surgery and chemotherapy, Amanpour said, “I’m telling you this in the interest of transparency but in truth really mostly as a shoutout to early diagnosis.” She said she wanted 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.”
Amanpour, 63, is one of the best-known journalists in the world, in part due to her fearless coverage of international conflicts. She has been off the air for the past four weeks due to the diagnosis.
In her on-air announcement, Amanpour pointed out that ovarian cancer is all too common, affecting “millions of women around the world.”
Anchoring from her home base in London, Amanpour said she feels “fortunate to have health insurance through work and incredible doctors who are treating me in a country underpinned by, of course, the brilliant NHS,” referencing the National Health Service in the UK.