On Being 12 Years Cancer-Free: I'M STRONGER Than I Realized

The TV personality opens up about the lessons she learned during her scary health battle

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Last December, Giuliana Rancic had two important milestones to celebrate: the anniversary of her engagement to husband Bill, 52, and her 12th year being cancer-free. The talk show host announced in October 2011 that she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36 and underwent a double-mastectomy two months later. “It was tough,” the 49-year-old says of her health scare. “I didn’t realize how strong I was until I had to be. I had to pull through.” Here, Giuliana, who recently partnered with Avocados From Mexico to support breast cancer research, talks to In Touch’s Lindsay Hoffman about resiliency, how she and Bill (parents to Duke, 11) stay connected after 16 years of marriage, and who made her most starstruck.

How does it feel to be a cancer survivor all these years later?

GR: In that first year, it’s all you and your family think about. It’s amazing to be 12 years out.