Giuliana Rancic Speaks Out About Her Cancer Battle (VIDEO)
Yesterday morning Giuliana Rancic stunned Ann Curry and the 'Today' show audience when she revealed live on-air that she has breast cancer.Now she has spoken candidly to her 'E! News' co-host Ryan Seacrest about her diagnosis and her decision to take something so private and place it out there in the public domain.
Speaking to Seacrest via satellite from New York Monday night Rancic said that she was "a nervous wreck" before going on-air, but that she's glad she did it.
"I feel like such a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I've been keeping this secret from a lot of dear friends for a while now and it's nice to get it out there and not hide anymore."
Rancic also hopes that by going public with her battle she can help educate women about the importance of regular breast exams and screening.
"We've done such a good job of raising awareness for breast cancer, but then you have to take awareness and turn it into action," she said. "The action for women is just make that appointment with your doctor, make sure you're going to your yearly appointment, figure out how to give yourself a self exam."
Rancic's tumor was discovered when she had a mammogram as part of her ongoing IVF treatment. "Through my attempt to get pregnant through IVF, we sadly found out that I have early stages of breast cancer," she told Ann Curry. "It's been a shock."
However, Rancic's prognosis is good because her cancer is in the early stages. She will undergo surgery later this week and then have six weeks of radiation therapy.
Acknowledging that her shows on E! and Style -- she also hosts 'Fashion Police' as well as starring in her own reality show 'Giuliana & Bill' with her husband -- attract a lot of young female viewers, Rancic told Seacrest that she wants to help them. "I have an amazing platform to really help people so that's why it was really important for me share this story."
She added that "I started realizing I could be an example for women to not just be aware of breast cancer but to act on it. To make an appointment, to give themselves an exam."
Emphasizing the benefits of early detection Rancic said: "The bottom line is, the earlier you find it, the better chance you have of survival. ... I'm going to survive, I'm going to be just fine, I'm not broken, but that's because I found it early."
Her husband Bill Tweeted his thanks to all those who've supported his wife since her announcement. "Thank you for all your love and support today. G is reading all your messages. She will win this fight, I PROMISE, and be back better than ever."
E! Entertainment released a statement applauding Rancic's decision to share "her recent breast cancer diagnosis in the hope that it will encourage women everywhere to take necessary and preventative measures. ... We are very grateful that thanks to early detection Giuliana is expected to have a swift and complete recovery."
Information about breast cancer detection, treatment and support can be found online at The National Cancer Institute, at National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at The Susan G. Komen Foundation.
