I Had Ovarian Cancer at 25, They Said I can Never Have Kids: Actor Cobie Smulders

The 'Avengers' star, Cobie Smulders, wants to use her experiences in the battle with ovarian cancer to raise awareness that killed 14,000 women last year.

Actress Cobie Smulders, (33), revealed she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 25. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women.

“I had tumors on both ovaries and the cancer had spread into my lymph nodes and surrounding tissues,” said Sumlders.

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Ovarian cancer affects both the ovaries and is referred to as the 'silent killer' as the symptoms go unnoticed until the disease advances.

She endured numerous surgeries instead of chemotherapy and radiation over a span of two years to remove the cancerous tissue. Smulder said that she could never feel cancer-free, but wants to use her experiences in a positive way and help raise awareness of ovarian cancer.

“I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I’m cancer-free. Now that I’m five years out, I’m trying to think of it as a positive thing and what can I learn from it. And if I can create more awareness, I’ll do it,” said Smulders.

After the surgeries she was left with one third of an ovary and doctors told her that she wouldn’t be able to naturally conceive. But, the 33-year-old has five-year-old daughter Shaelyn and a three-month-old son with husband Tarran Killam.

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According to National Cancer Institute, women who have a family history of ovarian cancer are at an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

American Cancer Society states ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women. About 14,000 women died of ovarian cancer last year.

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