October is breast cancer awareness month. And Elizabeth Hubbard, who plays strong willed business woman Lucinda Walsh on As The World Turns couldn’t be more pleased that her character is suffering from breast cancer to bring awareness to light.
“When I was informed by the powers that be that I will be playing a breast cancer victim my reaction was that’s just great!” Hubbard said. “I was delighted. I told them I will knock myself out. It’s a privilege to be playing something that is so important in our lives, and I want to do justice and honor the women that are the real victims.”
According to the American Breast Cancer Society 1,000,000 women in America are living with undetected breast cancer.
In America this year, a new case of breast cancer will be diagnosed every 3 minutes.
Every 13 minutes, the disease will claim another life.
1 out of every 8 women in America will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. That's up from 1 out of 4 in 1960.
Hubbard explained that she is an actress playing a role and is not a victim, but has taken such an interest in breast cancer survival that she’s done volumes of research. She has read almost every book out there, including one written by a good friend that is in stage one of breast cancer, adding that the part and portrayal needs to be accurate.
“I’ve always taken care of myself. I go for check-ups, eat well, stay fit, and go for mamograms,” Hubbard said. “I guess truthfully you don’t want to realize that this dreadful disease exists, but the fact is that it does, and you need to be checked.”
Hubbard does have cancer within her extended family in real life, and has experienced seeing the pain. She feels that she’s the right person for this role because she feels that not only as an actress, but as a person, she has connections with the fans.
“You know I do. I’m a people person, and I just care about people,” Hubbard said. “Since I’ve been playing this part I have received so much mail, and if I can help anyone afflicted in anyway, I sure will try. I reply and send poems. The response is overwhelming. I really want to be able to share.”
Hubbard said that like her character of Lucinda, she in real life is a determined woman and hopes that other women out there would be, or try to be like her.
“My mother was a homeopathic physician, but she was an MD. She was a pioneer at Bellevue with only five other women in the 1920.’s. I’ve learned a lot from her. I’m not a drug taker, but only when necessary,” Hubbard said. “And like Lucinda is doing, I too would explore all my options for therapy if I was afflicted in my life with breast cancer. Remember when you shuffle all the cards, you never know what can come up.”
Hubbard, who is very opinionated said that she is pleased with the writing of the story on As The World Turns, but would like to see more pain and suffering incorporated and get a little drippy. She wants to show the indignity of the illness and have her character, Lucinda, give up and have a pity moment, and touch on the spiritual aspect. Maybe even experiment with different drugs, and show emotion that brings out humanity.
“People need to feel together in misery. I want to show all the stages of the breast cancer. Soaps are drama and a teaching tool, and that’s what (soaps) should be there for. I hope to take a bold approach,” Hubbard said. I’d like to see this story played all the way through with different survival techniques. Heck, in all honesty, I’m so adamant on this role that I told them -- the powers that be -- that I’d be willing to shave my head. I want to convey the different kind of elements of this disease.”
Hubbard pointed out that once again every person needs to approach the situation the way they feel best, but she feels that airing out the problem is better then being locked in a frightened closet, and it’s the fear that clouds the judgment.
“We as people tend to hide our privates lives, but when you come out you would be amazed at the help and knowledge to many unanswered questions that are out there,” Hubbard said. “Talk to people. They are interesting. Especially older people that have lived and experienced.”
Hubbard emphasized that people that are diagnosed with breast cancer need to talk to their doctor, get the facts, and explore the options. They should record the meeting because during emotion you don’t always remember everything, take notes, listen, and talk to a friend or a family member, saying “It’s like the old saying, that when the maternal grandmother is at home the family survives.”
Soapdom wants to know if you have any message to a breast cancer victim? “Yes...you are in no way alone. Center on who you are. Listen to your dreams. And only you know what matters to you. But please explore the options best suited to your needs, because they are out there. And most of all there is always hope. Remember that! And stay positive and strong willed.”
Hubbard would like to hear from you in regard to her current storyline. You can email her directly at
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