What happened, in summary

Elle Simone was living in New York City when she began having symptoms she initially thought were gastrointestinal problems, something she considered plausible as a chef. She sought gynecologic care, but felt that her pain and concerns were dismissed. An ultrasound showed something on her right ovary, yet she said there was no follow-through.

A move to Boston for a job with America’s Test Kitchen changed the course of her care. When her symptoms persisted, a new doctor arranged an ultrasound the same day. Within an hour, Elle received a call back, and within 2 weeks she was in surgery and starting chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Her experience shaped a strong message about listening to patients, particularly Black women whose pain may be minimized. Elle encouraged women to trust their bodies and keep seeking additional opinions when something does not feel right. She later faced an ovarian cancer recurrence, describing the emotional weight of being diagnosed again even when the setback was outside her control. As a celebrity chef and OCRA board member, she continued to use her platform to increase representation, raise awareness, and speak openly about survivorship and recurrence rather than allowing cancer to define her identity.