One in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer within their lifetime. Yet despite the prevalence, there are still many myths about this diagnosis. 

For example, some people believe that younger women cannot be diagnosed with breast cancer, especially as the median age at the time of diagnosis is around 65 years old. Another pervasive belief is that receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is a death sentence. But neither of these facts are true; the incidence of breast cancer in younger women is rising, and breast cancer can be successfully treated—especially when caught early.

Television personality and entrepreneur Giuliana Rancic stands as a tribute to both of these facts. 

In 2011, Rancic—then 36 years old—was on top of the world. The host of E! News, she was also filming “Giuliana & Bill” with husband Bill Rancic, chronicling their lives together and their push to get pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Then came the shock: after a mammogram, Rancic learned that she had breast cancer. 

Now celebrating 12 years cancer-free as of December 13, 2023, Rancic recently spoke with Patient Worthy about her breast cancer journey and survivorship, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her recent partnership with Avocados From Mexico for the Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl, an annual American college football game that benefits breast cancer research. 

Giuliana’s Breast Cancer Journey

When doctors first told her that she had breast cancer, Rancic was floored. After all, she was so young—and, more than that, she had no family history of breast cancer. She shares:

“It was surprising to me, but also really scary. At the time, I didn’t realize how high of a survival rate breast cancer has, especially if caught early. That’s why the emphasis on early detection is so important. Breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence.” 

Currently, the 5-year survival rate for women with non-metastatic breast cancer sits at 90%, reports the American Cancer Society. 

At first, it was difficult dealing with the diagnosis and the emotions that come along with it. Should she tell other people what she was going through? Was it better to keep it private? She says:

“There was definitely a period of time after I was diagnosed when my entire life was changing, and I wanted to keep it private. At the same time, I kept thinking—I have this incredible platform at E! News. I was hosting live from the red carpet and reaching young women all over the world. I realized I needed to go public because if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.” 

On October 17, 2011, Rancic went on television and announced her diagnosis to the world. It was scary and a little overwhelming to share something so personal, but she was happy that she was able to reach so many people.

Eventually, Rancic underwent a double lumpectomy followed by a double mastectomy. 

Recovering and Finding Support

After her treatments, Rancic found an enormous strength within herself: a motivation and a desire to keep going, to inspire others, to create change, and to be the amazing person she has always been. She drew strength from two phrases that she repeated in her head as the days passed, explaining:

“One phrase that helped me was ‘this too shall pass.’ When I was in those tough moments, I kept thinking, ‘this too shall pass.’ I just had to get through them. I also told myself that ‘everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.’ Dealing with cancer is tough. Some days it can feel like your life has completely changed and you’ll never get back to normal. But I want to reaffirm that you will get through it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.” 

While her inner strength propelled her forward, Rancic also garnered support from women across the globe who heard her story. Messages began rolling in on her social media pages, many of which contained the word strong: “be strong,” “stay strong,” “you’re strong.” Rancic explains:

“I didn’t realize how much I would need that support. Having those words of encouragement from other people, and from other survivors, is huge. Sometimes, when people are going through breast cancer, you want to give them space. You don’t want to overwhelm them. But that encouragement is so important. Don’t forget the power of those words.” 

In the same vein, as a survivor herself, Rancic wanted to reinforce the importance of early detection and to encourage other women to take charge of their health. She shares:

“I’ve heard stories from young women who said they want to be proactive but can’t get a mammogram until their 40s. Do a self-exam. You can never start too early. Get to know your body. If you feel a difference one month, go to the doctor. Since being diagnosed, so many people have told me that they did their first mammogram or self-exam. It validates to me how important it is, as a survivor, to educate others on early detection.” 

Giuliana’s Initiatives

Rancic is undertaking a number of other projects—both within and beyond the realm of breast cancer: her clothing line G by Giuliana (which you can find on HSN), the Mamma DePandi food line of authentic Neapolitan cooking, fundraising for Susan G. Komen, and FAB-U-WISH, a program to grant wishes to women going through breast cancer treatment. Rancic explains:

“I remember going back to work after my double mastectomy. I was sitting in the hair and makeup chairs, texting with my doctors and my husband. When I looked in the mirror, I recognized the face looking back at me for the first time in a long time. I had lost myself in the diagnosis and to see myself again was so powerful. Through FAB-U-WISH, I want to help women going through treatment to feel like themselves again—whether that’s for a moment, a day, or a week. So far, we’ve granted hundreds of wishes and continue to.” 

Learn more about FAB-U-WISH. 

The 2023 Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl

This year, Rancic celebrated 12 years cancer-free. This milestone is particularly important, she shares, because:

“For the first five years, I felt like I would never get to this point. I thought I would always be thinking about cancer multiple times a day. It can be so consuming and filled with dark spots. But it’s great to be here 12 years later. I’m the same person I was before the cancer, and for a long time, I didn’t feel that way. I want to show others that you get through it and you move on.” 

To celebrate this amazing milestone, Rancic partnered with Avocados from Mexico for the Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl, which took place on December 16, 2023. Why Avocados from Mexico, you might ask? Giuliana explains: 

“I love avocados. Who doesn’t, right? When I was going through breast cancer, one thing I could control was what I was putting on my skin and what I was putting in my body. Avocados are nutritious, a super-food, and packed with 20 vitamins and nutrients. So incorporating healthy eating into the breast cancer journey, and developing this partnership, just makes sense.” 

Before the game, she joined other survivors and thrivers at the stadium for the Super Good Rally; the group created signs for others going through breast cancer to send some love their way. Although the Cure Bowl has passed, you can still use #SuperGoodBowl on social media to show who you’re rallying behind and continue raising breast cancer awareness. The Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl raised over $4.1M towards cancer research.