Stage I Ovarian Cancer: Elle's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Elle Simone Scott was 39 when an ultrasound in September 2016 showed a suspicious cyst in her right ovary. She was diagnosed with Stage I ovarian cancer and underwent surgery to remove the right ovary and fallopian tubes, followed by chemotherapy. While balancing treatment with her new role on “America’s Test Kitchen,” she relied on coworkers for rides, meals, and practical support.

The cancer went into remission for nearly 5 years. In 2020 it returned in her bowel and lower bladder, leading to more surgery and chemotherapy. After the recurrence, Scott began speaking more publicly about ovarian cancer and joined advocacy efforts focused especially on improving awareness and access to care for women of color.

By the May 2023 story, she was receiving treatment in a clinical trial combining nivolumab, bevacizumab, and rucaparib. The trial had slowed the cancer’s progression, although she continued to live with treatment side effects and uncertainty. More than 6 years after her September 2016 diagnosis, Scott described herself as a “thriver” rather than a survivor. She remained active in television, culinary work, and ovarian-cancer advocacy while continuing treatment for recurrent disease.