Amanpour, CNN’s chief international anchor, shared the news yesterday at the beginning of her daily TV programme, shocking audiences who watched the show.

“Like millions of women around the world, I’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“I've had successful major surgery to remove it, and I'm now undergoing several months of chemotherapy for the very best possible long-term prognosis, and I'm confident,” said the 63-year-old as quoted in a report by Malay Mail.'

Women should get regular health screenings

Amanpour, who was away from work for the past four weeks, also took the opportunity to thank CNN's senior global affairs analyst Bianna Golodryga who helped fill in for her in the interview programme Amanpour.

Anchoring from London, Amanpour urged women to go for regular health screenings and stressed the importance of early diagnosis.

“I'm telling you this in the interest of transparency but in truth, really mostly as a shoutout to early diagnosis.

“I urge women to educate themselves on this disease, to get all the regular screenings and scans that you can, to always listen to your bodies, and of course to ensure that your legitimate medical concerns are not dismissed or diminished.”