Liz Hurley Urges Women to Prioritize Breast Health and Regular Self-Checks

British actress and model Liz Hurley is once again using her global platform to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of self-checks. As the global ambassador for the Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign for the past 30 years, Hurley continues to advocate for early detection and women’s empowerment in health care decisions.

In a recent interview, Hurley emphasized that many women delay or ignore their own health because they feel guilty about taking time for themselves. “We’re doing stuff for kids, for husbands, for mothers, for in-laws. There’s so much that we have to do that we tend to come last,” she said. This mindset, she explained, prevents many women from performing regular breast self-examinations or attending medical screenings.

Hurley, whose grandmother passed away from breast cancer, shared that changing how women view self-care can save lives. She encourages women to think of breast checks not as a luxury, but as a necessity — a simple act that helps them remain healthy enough to care for others. “It doesn’t seem self-indulgent or taking time away from something else,” she said. “It seems really important.”

According to Hurley, a self-check takes no more than two minutes — “about the same length of time as brushing your teeth.” Despite how quick and easy it is, statistics reveal a concerning trend. More than one-third of women in the United Kingdom do not attend their first mammogram appointment. Similarly, a large study in Sweden found that many women skip their breast cancer screenings, showing that awareness remains a global challenge.

The consequences of this neglect are alarming. Cancer Research UK reports that breast cancer claims over 11,000 lives annually in the UK — that’s 31 women every single day. It remains the second most common cause of cancer deaths, accounting for around 7% of all cancer fatalities in the country.

Hurley believes that regular screenings and awareness campaigns play a key role in reversing these numbers. She urges all women to take advantage of free mammograms offered by the NHS and to become familiar with their own bodies. “When you’re younger and not yet having regular mammograms, you really do need to know your own breasts,” she advised. “You should be able to see if there’s a change, feel if there is a change, and go to your doctor immediately.”

She also noted that more young women are being diagnosed with breast cancer, a shift that may be linked to increased awareness. “In the past, the illness was seen as a disease for older ladies. But now we’re seeing younger women being diagnosed, likely because people are more breast-aware and proactive about their health,” Hurley said.

Hurley’s message is both urgent and empowering: taking a few minutes each month to check your breasts could save your life. Her decades-long advocacy work continues to inspire millions of women worldwide to prioritize their health and take preventive action.

She concluded by reminding women that self-checks are not acts of vanity but of strength and responsibility. “Keeping ourselves healthy means we can continue to take care of everyone else,” she said — a powerful reminder that true care begins with self-care.