CNN Chief International Anchor and her oncologist Dr. Angela George join Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story, a podcast from the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, for a powerful and inspiring conversation
TORONTO – October 23, 2025 – Christiane Amanpour has revealed she is receiving further treatment for cancer. “I have it again. But it’s being very well managed and so this is one of the things that people have to understand about some cancers,” she tells podcast host Hannah Vaughan Jones. The award-winning international journalist was joined by her Consultant Oncologist, Dr. Angela George who is also the Clinical Director of Genomics at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London, a world-leader in cancer care. Amanpour is currently receiving immunotherapy, a treatment which is working effectively for her. In an update following the podcast recording, Dr. George told us that Christiane’s relapsed ovarian cancer is currently in remission under immunotherapy.
One of the most influential women in global news media, Amanpour was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021 and at the time shared the news on her show Amanpour on CNN International – the network’s flagship global affairs interview programme, which also airs across the U.S. on PBS. That year, she underwent successful surgery and chemotherapy treatment.
In this powerful second episode of Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story titled “I’d Never Asked for Help Before,” Amanpour and Dr. George talk with Vaughan Jones about the importance of early detection, her treatment, the vital support she’s received and the power of research and science.
In an emotionally powerful moment, Amanpour, holding back tears, spoke about the tremendous amount of support she’s received since she was diagnosed. “I had never actually asked for help before and when I did, I got it, from my family, from my friends, from my colleagues, from everybody and it was really, well, it was touching but it was really helpful, really amazing. And as I say, it really sustained me because it’s not just the illness, it’s your state of mind, it’s everything.”
Amanpour described her diagnosis and surgery with candor, crediting her doctors for their swift and expert care. Dr. George provided valuable insight into why ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late and emphasized the importance of genetic testing and awareness. “Most women, by the time they get a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, will have often been going back and forth to the GP for, you know, sometimes a year or so with abdominal symptoms and it often gets misdiagnosed.”
World Ovarian Cancer Coalition CEO, Clara MacKay says “Christiane’s experience with ovarian cancer will resonate with many, particularly her reflections on asking for help and the emotional impact of her diagnosis. Yet, as she herself notes, in many respects her journey is not typical. For too many women around the world, access to early diagnosis, specialist care, and innovative treatments is out of reach. By speaking so openly about her experience, Christiane shines a light on the urgent need to close these gaps. Her voice, together with Dr. George’s insights underscore why the work of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and our global partners is so vital.”
The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition is the only global not-for-profit organization focused solely on ovarian cancer. Through partnerships, evidence, advocacy and awareness, we work globally to ensure that everyone living with, or at risk of, ovarian cancer has the best chance of survival and the best quality of life no matter where they live.
Amanpour shared her experience with immunotherapy. Dr. George explained more about the treatment. “So, immunotherapy is a treatment that isn’t suitable for all women with ovarian cancer but it does work really well for Christiane’s particular type.” “What immunotherapy does is it basically alerts the body to the fact that cancer cells are there and teaches the body to find the cancer cells and destroy them in the same way that it does other abnormal cells like viruses and bacteria.”
Marielle Nobbenhuis is Amanpour’s gynaecological oncology surgeon who also works at The Royal Marsden in London. The discussion explored the significance for Amanpour of having female medical professionals in her care team whilst also saying she’s had great male doctors. “It ended up being very important because I was completely relaxed and confident in their hands,” said Amanpour. “It’s not that I went out and sought women…but I was really, really grateful.” “It’s helpful, it’s very helpful because I think you operate on a very similar, you know, psychological plane. And I have done a lot of reporting, as you know, about women all over the world. And I know how women are often dismissed in every field or fashion of the human experience.” Dr. George agreed that lived experience can help strengthen patient connections. “I think it really does make a bit of a difference.” “As you say I work with some amazing male colleagues but at the end of the day it is a slightly different conversation with them as it is with another woman and I think a lot of the women do find that more helpful.”
Both women shared what gives them hope. Dr. George said “I think we’re really starting to unpick some of the drivers of cancer. So if you can find the switch that turns the cancer on in the first place, we’re getting much better at finding a switch that can turn it back off.” Amanpour said “We are, you know, a community of people. And my hope in this time of deep, deep partisanship over everything, including science and medicine, is that we will understand that we are stronger together, that we’re stronger when we unite our professions and benefit from all the knowledge that we possibly can.”
You can watch the full episode here and wherever you get your podcasts.
About the podcast Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story
Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Hannah Vaughan Jones, Changing the Ovarian Cancer Story is produced by Annabel Deegan and Jesica Martinez de Hoz from the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and is dedicated to shining a light on the most lethal of female cancers, sharing stories and raising awareness globally. For more information visit our website.
About the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition
The World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, the only global not-for-profit organization focused solely on ovarian cancer, was established in 2016 and comprises over 200 patient advocacy group members in 69 countries. We work globally to ensure that everyone living with, or at risk of, ovarian cancer has the best chance of survival and the best quality of life, no matter where they live through partnerships, evidence, advocacy and awareness. To learn more, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in women globally. Based on current trends and 2022 Globocan data, nearly eight million women are projected to die from ovarian cancer by 2050. Urgent coordinated action is needed. Ovarian cancer remains a challenging disease, with most women diagnosed at advanced stages and five-year survival rates below 50%. But the evidence shows there are clear opportunities: faster diagnoses, better genetic testing, and increased access to effective treatments like PARP inhibitors can improve outcomes.