MNN - Mother Nature Network

Some unfortunate news out of the world of celebrity journalism this morning as E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic has announced that she's fighting breast cancer. 

 

The 36-year-old revealed the diagnosis on Monday's "Today" show — saying that the impact of receiving the news shattered her. "It was just a kick in the stomach," she recalled. "That was the hardest day ... (the emotions are) what you expect but so much more. It was incredible instant sobbing, and it was like the world just crashed down around me. I couldn't believe it, 36 years old, no family history."

 

Giuliana is fortunate — the disease was caught early as a result of her desire to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization with husband Bill Rancic. While she wasn't considering receiving a mammogram until she turned 40, her doctor insisted she have one as a precautionary measure. 

 

"He said, 'I don't care if you're 26 or 36, but I will not get you pregnant if possibly there's a small risk that you have cancer because the hormones will accelerate the cancer,'" said Rancic. "I never in my wildest dreams expected anything would be wrong."

 

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month in full swing around the world, Rancic says it's important for her to share her story as a cautionary tale for anyone waiting to schedule a mammogram. 

 

"A lot of us think we're invincible ... but we have to start putting ourselves on the to-do list," she said. "I had a friend call me yesterday, and she said, 'I'm so sorry, can I do anything for you?' And I said, 'Just call your doctor tomorrow and make an appointment. That's what you could do for me.' ... I will be okay because I found it early."

 

We wish Giuliana and Bill the best as they battle this disease together. Check out her interview on "Today" below.