Giuliana Rancic Talks Breast Cancer Recovery In 'Michigan Avenue'

Since announcing she has breast cancer last fall, Giuliana Rancic has been outspoken about her fight against the disease and her decision to undergo a double mastectomy in December. Now, the "E! News" personality is opening up to Michigan Avenue magazine about her recovery.

"People come up and they have sadness in their eyes, and I think, at a time when everyone's looking at me with pity, I look at myself as lucky," she told the Chicago-based glossy, via RadarOnline.com. "I think I just dodged the biggest bullet of my life."

Rancic, who also stars on the reality show "Giuliana & Bill" with her husband, Bill Rancic, says since she announced her breast cancer diagnosis on the "Today" show in October, she's been amazed at the amount of support she's received from people around the world.

"I think because breast cancer touches so many people, when someone hears you have it, they just shower you with love," she said. "The one word I always saw in all the messages was strong. You're so strong, stay strong, be strong -- when you hear something enough, you start believing it."

Rancic also talked about her decision to have a double mastectomy while at a Television Critics Association press event in earlier this month.

"I don't give two sh**s about my breasts. I didn't care that at the Golden Globes, I wouldn't be able to show cleavage, " Rancic said, adding that many people were surprised by her decision to have the surgery. "They said, 'Are you sure you want to do this? Think about the life you lead and the fabulous dresses and that's part of your job. It could put your job in jeopardy.' And I thought, if I ever have a job that is defined by my breasts and some gorgeous gown then I'm in the wrong business."

For a behind-the-scenes look at Rancic's February 2012 cover shoot, head over to Michigan Avenue.

Check out photos of Giuliana and Bill Rancic below:

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Comments

[vcec]

11:17 AM on 04/04/2012

Oh, and one more thing.........if she is really not worried about her breasts, why did she opt for reconstruction immediately? Most women wait a year because of the very real threat of recurrence. Because they have to go through radiation and chemo.....oh yeah, I read somewhere G's not having chemo or radiation..........
hmmmm so she's battling cancer? nuff said.

[vcec]

11:13 AM on 04/04/2012

Okay, I am officially over it. So now she is all over, as if we hadn't seen enough of her already. She's Ryan Seacrest in a dress. These celebrity horror stories are ridiculous. She went through hell for two weeks? I am watching a friend die who has battled this disease for more than 6 years. She will leave behind a 10 year old. As someone who has been through this and has actually battled the disease, I just have to say I am sick of celebrity "brushes" with cancer. Fran Drescher and Suzanne Sommers come to mind. Shallow and narcissistic. I have known many women who have battled cancer and sadly, most of them have passed away. These were strong women. They didn't make the talk show circuits, no one wanted to ghost write a book. These celebrities have cancer scares not cancer battles. It's the equivalent of a suffering from a cold when everyone else is fighting the flu.

[Huah]

04:50 PM on 02/02/2012

Good luck to a really nice, and strong, couple.

[mtotomzuri]

02:14 PM on 02/02/2012

Personally I applaud Bill for staying with her through all these struggles because I'm sure he did not imagine his married life turning out this way....no kids and his wife battling cancer. You read about these couples who have disabled kids, a spouse getting sick and other challenges and one person decides to leave because it's not a "normal" setting so kudos to him and hope this brings them closer together as a couple!!!

[vcec]

10:55 AM on 04/04/2012

you applaud him for this? what a ridiculous and shallow comment.

[heyjod]

08:26 AM on 01/20/2012

Today Giuliana and Bill debuted their "advice book." Anyone who says that this hasn't all been for publicity is kidding themselves. I wish her well with her recovery. Now go do it in private and stop trying to make a buck off a devastating illness.

[vcec]

10:58 AM on 04/04/2012

OMG - glad to see I'm not the only one shaking my head. I am so sick of celebrities going on about their "brush" with cancer and then getting someone to ghost write a book about their experiences. Next

[mommyoffour]

03:28 PM on 01/16/2012

Arent women supposed to stick together? It's amazing how we just attack each other. Too many jealous women in this world...very sad

[vcec]

11:00 AM on 04/04/2012

It some cases it's not about jealousy, for me it is disgust. These shallow celebrities who are narcissistic enough to think they are making a difference just irritates the P*** out of me. They are dangerous because people listen to them.

[Joan Simon]

02:38 PM on 01/16/2012

Giuliana looked lovely last evening, and I commend her on her surgical decision, yet one so personal as well as different, to everyone affected with the disease. And, yes, she is strong and confident and I applaud her, as I wish her well.

[jroycrs]

01:58 PM on 01/16/2012

I don't understand why Juliana Rancic is ever considered a beauty. It seems AMericans don't know what true beauty really is. They just call every white person a beauty. true beauties have chiselled features, high cheek bones, a gorgeous hair line, a very proportionate face and sparkling eyes.

[greenbabel]

02:33 PM on 01/16/2012

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. True beauty should be debatable, otherwise it's just boring.

[mommyoffour]

03:47 PM on 01/16/2012

Isn't she Italian? Who ever decided what "true beauty" is??? I think we all would have a different answer than yours. Don't be fooled, beauty isn't only on the outside. Shows what real ignorant people think is important.

[mssheerness]

01:45 PM on 01/16/2012

I am a survivor of breast cancer, I do not get the look of pity..Everyone tells me I look amazing even though I've been sick and can't eat or smell certain foods. If you look pitiful some will give you that feeling However if you go on with life put on a good front even if you're sick as a dog your attitude will signal what people think about you. This woman was a pity sight before cancer so now people can tell her the truth (just saying don't hate me)

[jtjrfan8]

03:12 PM on 01/16/2012

While I agree that at some points in life we must all " fake it til we feel it " on covering up how sick we are, you kind of crossed the line saying she was a pity sight before cancer. Don't hate me either but if you treat your close friends with the same attitude you attack a stranger, then perhaps they're just too afraid to pity you. I pity anyone who is ill and struggling as I also admire the fight in them. But the hate you harbor for this woman-now THAT is where I pity you. Hope you stay cured, best wishes~Jackie

[nmariong]

03:50 PM on 01/16/2012

It isn't hate to think a person is not pretty or hard on the eyes or is a pitiful looking, not beautiful person. To say that you think it may not be the best choice though. Especially when they are fighting a tough medical battle. Even if you thought it before the cancer announcement, at least after there is more of a reason to keep it to yourself. Anyway, Guiliana has bigger fish to fry.

[mssheerness]

05:53 PM on 01/16/2012

She is not a stanger her face is all over the network. If you do not want pity keep your illness private. Many celebrities has been ill with cancer they get treated and it is not broadcast .She wants the publiciity her failed pregnancy was on her reality show.
My close friends know the person I am . I do not need pity I fight my battles and get on with my life. Doing my illness my family and friends offered me help . I got the help from my family and accepted the prayers from my priest and parrish members I have good doctors and good health insurance

[Jane T Brodbar]

03:53 PM on 01/16/2012

I have been through it with friends and I have to say that I think that, more often, they are simply looks of pure compassion - of a deep feeling of sisterhood - of WISHING SO MUCH that this person wasn't faced with such a battle and SO PROUD that they are who they are that they are fighting it.....Cancer brings about SO MANY emotions in all that it effects.

[lioncarern]

01:45 PM on 01/16/2012

Giuliana, I am praying for you, as are thousands if not millions of believers. I'm also grateful that you could see that the trial God allowed strengthens one's faith and can strengthen a marriage . Thank you for sharing that your faith has been strengthened. In entertainment some people are reluctant to share faith in God. I will continue to pray for you also that you can have the blessing of children. Other than health, kids are God's greatest blessing.

[collectsrocks]

01:36 PM on 01/16/2012

The gown she wore at the Golden Globes was lovely. It seemed that the celebs she interviewed were gingerly hugging her though and many asked her how she was doing prior to being interviewed. She always answered each with the similiar answers of "very well" ect, then proceeded with the interviews. Very professional of her by keeping the spotlight on the celebs and not herself.

[andretta15]

01:05 PM on 01/16/2012

great attitude, stay tough and it will help to beat the beast within you, positive thinking goes a long way when we have a disease. i wish you the best.

[JC2009USA]

12:38 PM on 01/16/2012

Geez I can't believe the number of haters on here. Whether you like her or not is NOT the point. The point is that EVERYONE handles crisis and recovery in a different way...in their own personal way...that doesn't make it right or wrong...it makes us human.

You may have handled it quietly and privately - and that would be your right way of doing it.

She chose to discuss it and put it out there including the recovery because she felt it would help other women going through it and her husband Bill wanted people to know if you love the person you support them through every step of the process and you let women know it isn't all about the "boobs" - it's about love and recovery support and the future.

That was there way of doing it and it is right for them...

No matter what woman anywhere going through breast cancer surgery and recovery - all of us should be supportive and understanding regardless of how they decide to get through it.

[gizkat]

01:37 PM on 01/16/2012

There are just some things that are no one else's business except for the person that is going through it. Yes, I feel sorry that she is facing this - I feel terrible for ANY person facing this horrible disease, but come on. Celebrities complain constantly that they have no privacy. That's because they have to tell the world every single thing in their lives to stay in the lime light.

[lindamom]

04:34 PM on 01/16/2012

Great post JC - you said it best! No wonder I am already a fan...

[uncommonsensesc]

11:31 AM on 01/16/2012

Let's see, being in the public and media eyes all the time and you announce you have breast cancer and give everyone play-by-play coverage and they look at you with pity! Imagine! I wonder why they would do that? Could it be that you have a "bully pulpit" and everyone in the world knows what is going on with you? If you don't like the pity looks, keep your private life private! I do applaud the "who cares about cleavage" attitude. I really can't imagine that "many people" whose life depends on ridding her body of cancer would say that to her - it sounds like more publicity than real life.

[twocalzone]

11:03 AM on 01/16/2012

I certainly applaud her for speaking about breast cancer, but really, the rest of her life, it is just isn't necessary to have this on tv. There are some things one should just keep as part of private life. People look at others with sadness because that is the way she is portrayed. Childlike, and needy...I don't think she wants that kind of attention, but who knows.

[katkat1995]

11:25 AM on 01/16/2012

You are an idiot

[lindamom]

04:35 PM on 01/16/2012

Proud to be your fan kat.......

[fpwillson]

11:31 AM on 01/16/2012

At first glance, perhaps. At second glance, I think you are wrong. I too, applaud her. What she has done will help so many others make the correct decision. Along the line of: If a celebrity can do that and talk about it, it's not so bad and I can do it too." Getting people to think (and talk) like that is worth a lot. Sure, she have kept quiet, but she chose to be helpful. Good for her.

[mommyoffour]

02:46 PM on 01/16/2012

If everyone was hush hush about their fights and struggles with their health then who would we look to and have as an example to stay strong and keep fighting? I don't see her whinning or complaining about her disease or decisions in her fight for her life. She is trying to make her story and struggle available to those who are going through similar situations to give inspiration and let them know they are not alone. The purpose of having breast is to provide nutrition to offspring, not for the enjoyment of other people...especially not to fill out a dress. I have a lot of respect for this woman she has put herself and her story out there for you blood hounds to attack her in hopes of being that inspiration someone out there needs to continue fighting. Even if she only reached one person her story was worth it....I'm sure she has reached far more than one and will continue to inspire. I wish Mrs. Rancic a life full of happiness and health! @ Mr. Rancic what a wonderful husband...she needed you and you definately are a great example of what a loving and devoted husband should be.

[vcec]

11:07 AM on 04/04/2012

It is the irresponsibility that gets me worked up. To announce breast cancer and the decision to have a dbl mastectomy is a brave move in tinseltown......but, it's the shallow approach that has me shaking my head. Not just Ms. G, but the others who have preceded her. Call me a skeptic, but it's just another celebrity book about nonsense. "I did it, you can too". it's bs.