Published Jan 24, 2020

The Award Season’s Hottest Star, Actor Renee Zellweger, to Be Honored for Her Work in Raising Cancer Awareness

"I saw how brutal breast cancer can be," the star has said of the disease.

Details

The inspiring Renee Zellweger, this year’s comeback sensation, has already received a long list of awards for her starring role in the Judy Garland biopic, “Judy.” Now, the actor is being recognized by the Women’s Cancer Research Fund with its Courage Award, being given at its annual gala in February, for her lesser-known work as a long-time advocate for cancer awareness.

Renee Zellweger has been selected to receive the Courage Award on Feb. 27 at the Women's Cancer Research Fund’s annual fundraiser, An Unforgettable Evening https://t.co/UyGj8LA7iq
The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 24, 2020

Breast cancer, Zellweger has told various outlets, has affected many people close to her, including family members.

“My grandmother died from it and two aunts were also diagnosed with it but it was after a close friend's diagnosis ten years ago that I saw how brutal breast cancer can be, how it can take over someone's life, and yet they can fight it with dignity and survive it that's inspirational,” she told Glamour.com.

RELATED VIDEO: Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, on when women should get mammograms.

Zellweger has supported Stand Up to Cancer in support of her publicist and close friend, Nanci Ryder, a breast cancer survivor (who now has ALS).

When You're Called Back After a Mammogram: Breaking Down the Numbers

Zellweger reportedly had a breast cancer scare of her own, finding lumps during a self-examination. After getting them checked out, it’s been reported, she discovered they were fibroadenomas, the most common type of benign breast tumors.

Should you get a mammogram and receive a call asking you to return for further evaluation, don’t panic. More images, including MRI or ultrasound, may be required if the initial pictures aren't clear.

Dr. Connie Lehman

Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of the Breast Imaging Clinic at Mass General Hospital in Boston, told SurvivorNet that of the approximately 10% of women who get called back, the vast majority will be absolutely fine after more imaging. Only 20% of those will need a biopsy and in the end, just 5% of that group will be found to have cancer.

The Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala

The annual gala is an A-list affair in Beverly Hills. Held this year on Feb. 27, it’s being hosted by Ken Jeong, whose wife is a breast cancer survivor.

It’s chaired by Hollywood power couples, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks and Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg. Previous Courage Award winners include Kate Hudson, Sofia Vergara, Tom Ford, and Sheryl Crow.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Constance Costas is a writer for SurvivorNet.

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