Two years after being first diagnosed with ovarian cancer, American tennis legend Chris Evert announced on Friday that she had suffered a relapse of the cancer and would miss next month's broadcast of the Australian Open.
“My cancer is back,” Evert, 68, said in a statement. “Although it is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I am once again happy that it was caught early.”
Evert said a PET scan discovered cancer cells in her pelvic area and that she underwent robotic surgery earlier this week. She will now undergo chemotherapy.
The 18-time Grand Slam champion said that while she would miss next month's broadcast of the Australian Open, she would be “ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season.”
Chris Evert speaks to the media during the GNP Seguros WTA Finals on November 2, 2023 in Cancun, Mexico. Getty Images
Evert said she was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2021. And in January of this year, she announced that she was cancer-free.
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Evert's sister Jeanne Evert died of ovarian cancer in 2020.
“I encourage everyone to know their family history and advocate for themselves,” Evert said Friday. “Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.”
According to the latest figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 18,500 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020, and more than 13,400 women died from the disease that year. According to the Mayo Clinic, your risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age, and having a family history can also increase your risk.
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