CNN’s Christiane Amanpour’s Ovarian Cancer Has Returned: ‘I Have It Again’

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour is facing ovarian cancer for the third time.

The 67-year-old international journalist and news anchor revealed on the Oct. 23 episode of the Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story podcast that her cancer has returned.

“I have it again. But it’s being very well managed, and this is one of the things people need to understand about some cancers,” Amanpour told host Hannah Vaughan Jones.

She explained that while she had “all of the relevant organs removed,” the disease returned “a couple of times in a lymph node,” before turning to her doctor for more detail.

Dr. Angela George, Clinical Director of Genomics at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital, noted that Amanpour has a rare form of ovarian cancer — one that accounts for fewer than 10% of cases — and that she is currently undergoing immunotherapy treatment.

Amanpour described immunotherapy as “the opposite of grueling,” saying she’s experienced no side effects. Her treatment includes daily medication and hospital infusions every six weeks. According to her doctor, the therapy appears to be working well.

The veteran journalist shared that her regular check-ups every three months helped doctors detect the cancer both the second and third times it appeared.

“The fact that I’m monitored all the time is a superb insurance policy,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey, Amanpour became emotional as she spoke about the overwhelming support she’s received from loved ones and colleagues throughout treatment.

“I never actually asked for help before — and when I did, I got it,” she said. “From my family, my friends, my colleagues, from everybody. It was touching, but also really helpful and amazing.”

She added that emotional support has been just as important as the medical care itself: “It really sustained me because it’s not just the illness — it’s the state of mind. Having people who, every day, asked how I was and how they could help… that community is vital, and I’m so very lucky to have had it.”

Amanpour was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in May 2021. She underwent major surgery ten days later, followed by 18 weeks of chemotherapy.

In April 2022, she spoke publicly about her experience, emphasizing the importance of early detection. “Ovarian cancer is known as the invisible killer,” she said at the time. “Get all the scans you can. We women know better what’s going on with our own bodies than anybody. We can trust ourselves — and if something feels wrong, pursue it.”

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