Chris Evert, Tennis Hall of Famer, Says She Has Ovarian Cancer

Former tennis star Chris Evert, 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, has early stage ovarian cancer, she said Friday in a story posted on ESPN.com.

The stage 1C cancer was discovered after a preventive hysterectomy and it has not spread elsewhere in her body, according to the statement. Evert, 67, who started her first round of chemotherapy this week, is an ESPN analyst.

According to the story, the cancer was removed during the hysterectomy, and there is a more than 90% chance it will not come back, according to the story.

“I have lived a very glamorous life,” Ms. Evert said in the story. “Now I have some challenges ahead of me. But, I take comfort in knowing that chemotherapy is about making sure the cancer doesn’t come back.”

A representative for Evert did not immediately respond to an email late Friday.

Evert is one of the most famous tennis players in the history of tennis. She became the first tennis player, male or female, to win 1,000 singles matches and to be ranked first or second in the world from 1975 to 1986. according to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Dr. Joel Cardenas, Dr. Evert, said in this story, the likelihood of an early diagnosis is higher if a patient has regular visits to the doctor, understands family history and has a good relationship with the doctor. her gynecology.

“Women should also be aware of risk factors – endometriosis, history of breast cancer and infertility,” he said. “The median age for ovarian cancer diagnosis is 63.”

Genetic testing and counseling is recommended if a patient has a family history of ovarian cancer, says Cardenas.

Mrs. Evert’s sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, also a professional tennis player, died of ovarian cancer in February 2020 at the age of 62. Ovarian cancer can run in families, and A person’s risk is increased if a mother, sister or daughter has the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

Ms Dubin was with Ms Evert as the two raced through an airport in October 2017 when the sister noticed Ms Dubin was dead, according to an ESPN story. Soon after, a doctor discovered ovarian cancer in Ms. Dubin. It was in a late stage and had spread.

“When I was in chemotherapy, she was an inspiration to me,” Ms. Evert said. “I will think about her. And she will help me get through it. ”