Elizabeth Hurley speaks out on World Cancer Day: 'Early detection saves lives'

Elizabeth Hurley is speaking out about a cause close to her heart.

The Austin Powers actress spoke to CNBC about World Cancer Day, as well as her role as global ambassador for the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, which she has held for more than 20 years.

Hurley pointed out that while the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for everyone around the world, those battling cancer — or those concerned that they may be at heightened risk for developing it — have faced extra hurdles over the past two years. Many treatments for cancer, as well as screenings, have been pushed back as COVID case numbers rise.

Hurley, who lost her grandmother to breast cancer, stressed that “early detection saves lives.”

“We know that if breast cancer is caught early there’s an extremely strong chance of survival, but the key words are 'catching it early,'” The Royals alum explained.

Hurley added that in addition to making sure people get screened for cancer regularly, more can be done in the battle to fight the disease.

​​“I truly believe, from the breast cancer point of view, that the only thing standing between today, when women are dying of breast cancer and it’s the most diagnosed cancer in the world, and a day where people are no longer dying from breast cancer, the thing standing in the way of that is lack of funding,” she explained. “We need to raise more money, and in the meantime, people need to look after themselves and self-check and go to their doctor if they’re worried.”

Hurley, who recently wrapped her holiday film Christmas in the Caribbean, previously spoke to Estée Lauder about how the conversation around cancer has shifted.

“When we first started our work, people weren't talking about breast cancer. It wasn't covered in magazines or on breakfast TV shows. Now it commands the attention it deserves on front page headlines and in global health forums,” she said. “I'm so proud of how far we've progressed in the entire breast cancer movement, and that has led to early detection, major advances in research and treatment and better chances of survival. We do know, however, that there are still parts of the world where breast cancer is not spoken about openly and comfortably and that still needs to change.”

Hurley is not the only woman using her platform on World Cancer Day. Brooke Burke, a thyroid cancer survivor, spoke to Yahoo Life this week about the importance of getting screened.

"When it comes to our health and wellness, we really have to stay on top of it," Burke said. "I'm just a champion of information, of taking advantage of medical research that we have available to us. Sometimes you need that little nudge. My girlfriend called me the other day and she's like, 'Did you schedule your mammogram?' And I was like, 'I'm a little bit late.' And she's like, 'Well, we're going together.' I love that. There's value in that. We all need a little helping hand along the way, so that's why I'm so vocal about it."

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