Tennis champion Chris Evert’s cancer has returned (Picture: Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Tennis star Chris Evert has revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in two years.
The 68-year-old retired athlete, who was the world’s number one player in the 1970s and has since become a TV commentator and pundit, first revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer in January 2022.
Earlier this year, she announced that she was in remission.
However, in a statement released via ESPN, Chris revealed on Friday that her cancer has returned ‘in the same pelvic region’ and she is undergoing treatment again.
‘Since I was first diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I’ve been very open about my experience. I wanted to give all of you an update. My cancer is back,’ she began.
‘While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early. Based on a PET CT scan, I underwent another robotic surgery this past week. Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region. All cells were removed, and I have begun another round of chemotherapy.’
The retired athlete-turned-commentator explained she would not be part of the Australian Open’s coverage in January (Picture: Getty)
She underwent treatment previously, being declared ‘cancer-free’ earlier this year (Picture: Good Morning America)
‘I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself. Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season,’ she added.
Chris then explained that her diagnosis and treatment will rule her out of ESPN’s coverage of the Australian Open, which begins next month, but insisted she will be back to work as soon as possible.
‘I will be unable to join my colleagues when ESPN makes its return to Melbourne for the Australian Open next month. But I’ll be ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season!’ the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion vowed.
The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion had a ‘90% chance’ her cancer wouldn’t come back (Picture: Getty)
Sporting icon Chris underwent a preventive hysterectomy back in December 2021 after her sister Jeanne Evert Dubin died from the same type of cancer in February 2020 aged just 62.
She also shared in an op-ed for the sports broadcaster that it was ‘only because of the genetic road map my sister left behind and the power of scientific progress that we caught my cancer early enough to do something about it’.
Chris was told by her doctor that if her initial cancer had been left undiscovered for a further four months, she likely would have been ‘stage 3 like Jeanne, with very few options’.
With sister Jeanne, who died of ovarian cancer aged 62 in February 2020 (Picture: chrissieevert)
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries and is most common in women over 50, although it can affect anyone who has ovaries.
According to the NHS, ovarian cancer can run in families, and symptoms are not always obvious, meaning it is often diagnosed late. However, early diagnosis can mean it is more treatable.
Symptoms include:
a swollen tummy or feeling bloated
pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis)
no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often
indigestion
constipation or diarrhoea
back pain
feeling tired all the time
losing weight without trying
bleeding from the vagina after the menopause
These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions, but it’s still important to get them checked by a GP.
At the time of her initial remission earlier this year, Chris said that she was ‘cancer-free’ and there was ‘a 90% chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back’.
Chris previously admitted that her initial diagnosis had left her ‘in a daze’ as she had been ‘working out, doing CrossFit, playing tennis’.
‘I didn’t feel anything different. When I go into chemo, Jeanne is my inspiration, I’ll be thinking of her. And she’ll get me through it,’ she told ESPN.
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The player-turned-pundit is undergoing treatment again.