7 Questions With Elizabeth Hurley On The Breast Cancer Campaign

Elizabeth Hurley has been the global ambassador for The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign for more than 20 years since its founder, Evelyn H. Lauder, asked her to join. This October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she’s rallying everyone behind the call that “It’s Time to End Breast Cancer”, since it’s a disease that truly affects us all. In fact, every 19 seconds somewhere in the world, someone is diagnosed with breast cancer. Now in the 26th year of The Campaign, the company wanted to create urgency with a universal call to action, and use #TimeToEndBreastCancer as their rallying cry.

For those who are diagnosed with the disease, the concept of time takes on an entirely different meaning. Time goes from something which may be taken for granted, to something that stops at a moment like when a diagnosis is received, or is deeply cherished from that moment on. Time is a universal concept we all understand, and is so precious, especially those with breast cancer.

Ever since The Campaign first launched 26 years ago, many advancements have been made: breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by 39% since the 1980’s, five-year survival rates are better than 90% when breast cancer is found early, surgery is not as invasive and treatments are now customized to a person’s type of breast cancer. In fact, awareness is so high, we dropped the word “Awareness” from our name last year as now is a time for action in the fight against this disease.

We caught up with Elizabeth as she discusses the success of the foundation, the current campaign, why being a global ambassador is so important to her, and how readers can get involved in the fight.

Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Estée Lauder Companies

How has this disease impacted your life?

My grandmother passed away from breast cancer when I was younger. At that time, they didn’t talk about the disease like we do now – no one did self-exams or talked to their doctors. We’ve come such a long way in raising awareness. That’s why the work that The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign is doing is so important. We are working every single day to ensure that breast cancer is not a scary subject, and that women and men are educated on how to detect the disease and educate their loved ones.

What does The Breast Cancer Campaign mean to you?

I’m fortunate enough to see the first-hand impact of The Breast Cancer Campaign around the globe, from a woman telling me she got a mammogram after hearing our message about early detection, to seeing the impact that the research we are funding has on science, education and treatment. Breast cancer truly affects us all and I am so proud to be a part of this movement that continues to bring us hope for a world without breast cancer.

How have you seen The Breast Cancer Campaign evolve over the past 20 years?

We’ve made significant progress over the past 20 years. Breast cancer is no longer a taboo topic, and women and men now feel empowered to have conversations about it. We’ve also made significant strides in research, with more than $76 million raised to fund global research, education and medical services. However, the fight is not over. Every 19 seconds somewhere in the world, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, which is why this year our rallying cry is that it’s Time to End Breast Cancer.

What do you look forward to with The Breast Cancer Campaign in the next year? 5 years?

I look forward to continuing the legacy that Evelyn H. Lauder began 26 years ago. The Breast Cancer Campaign is helping to create a real impact in the world, and each year we have raised more money and funded more research that is saving lives. I want to continue to see people live better, healthier lives, and the progress that research is making in bringing us closer to a cure.Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Estée Lauder Companies

How can people look to get involved in the fight against Breast Cancer?

Donating to research is what truly creates change. You can donate at ELCompanies.com/BreastCancerCampaign to fund research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Follow us @esteelaudercompanies and join the conversation with the hashtag #TimeToEndBreastCancer. For every unique post on Instagram with #TimeTOEndBreastCancel and #ELCdonates from 10/1/18 – 10/31/18, The Estée Lauder Companies will donate $25 to fund a half-hour of breast cancer research up to $26,000 through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in honor of the 26^th year of The Campaign.

What is something you wish people knew about this disease?

That breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by 39% since the late 1980’s, and five-year survival rates are now better than 90% when breast cancer is found early. That’s why early detection is critical and self-exams, discussions with doctors, and mammograms are of the utmost importance.

What other projects are you currently working on? Personally or professionally?

We just wrapped The Royals which was a project we all loved. I have a few projects in the works, but for now I’m truly enjoying spending time at my home in England with my son and enjoying the company of family and friends.