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'My sister's journey saved my life': Tennis pro Chris Evert defeats ovarian cancer 1 year after diagnosis

Chris Evert claimed she was diagnosed with the same variant of cancer which took her sister Jeanne's life in February 2020

BOCA RATON, FLORIDA: Tennis legend Chris Evert, 68, says she is cancer-free, one year after being diagnosed with Stage 1 BRCA-related ovarian cancer. "Today, I'm cancer-free, and there's a 90% chance that ovarian cancer will never come back," Evert revealed on Tuesday, January 17. The icon claimed she was diagnosed with the same variant of cancer which took her sister Jeanne's life in February 2020. However, she claimed because of the "genetic road map my sister left behind" doctors were able to successfully treat it. 

Evert got herself tested after doctors informed her she had a variant of BRCA 1. After her pathology report came back, doctors found out she had a malignant tumor in her left fallopian tube. The icon then underwent a hysterectomy, six rounds of chemotherapy, and a double mastectomy. She claimed because the diagnosis was discovered early they were able to do something about it. "My doctor said if left undiscovered, in four months' time I would probably have been Stage 3 like Jeanne, with very few options," Evert revealed as per ESPN. 

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Evert has since been raising awareness by revealing her story and of her sister, Jeanne, to let others know the underlying risk. "The most important thing is not to leave things to chance. Of the 25 million women and men worldwide who have a BRCA mutation, only 10% know they are carriers," she said. "When I talk to people about genetic testing, so many people say, 'It's too scary to know.' I'm here to tell you, it's scarier not to," reported Daily Mail.

"My sister, like many people, was so busy taking care of everybody else, she ignored what her body was trying to tell her. My advice is: Trust your gut, know your family history, learn about genetic testing and be your own advocate." Evert added, "As relieved as I will be to get to the other side of this, I will always have a heavy heart. I will never heal from losing Jeanne, and I will never take for granted the gift she gave me in the process." "My sister's journey saved my life, and I hope by sharing mine, I just might save somebody else's," she claimed.

Tennis fans applauded Evert for sharing her story and wished her their best regards for a speedy recovery. One user on Twitter wrote, "That’s Great news, from a Great Champion." Another added, "Thank you for sharing your journey. It's important that people know the benefits of genetic testing and early treatment. I hope the remainder of your recovery goes well and that you remain healthy and cancer free." A third tweeted, "Chris, you were one of the best tennis players! Now, you show how excellent person you are, helping much much more persons in the world with your history! Thanks for that!" Fourth added, "Thank you for sharing your personal journey. It was enlightening. And glad to read you are recovering well." "Thank you for your courage and vulnerability. This WILL help people. It is much better to be a decent human being than a champion athlete. Turns out, you are both," read a tweet. 

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