Jill Martin is sharing a recent diagnosis.

On Monday (July 17), the Today show host revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in an interview with People.

Jill explained that the news came just one week after she tested positive for the BRCA gene, which has been linked to a higher possibility of developing breast or ovarian cancer.

Keep reading to find out more…

“I am in shock, but at the same time I’m so grateful because it could be a very different story that we’re talking about,” she told the outlet. “Of course I’m devastated. You hear the C-word and you think the worst. But after you hear the word and you absorb it, you then have to be your own best friend. And also having the platform to share my story has given me strength, because I feel like while I’m healing, I will be able to help literally save lives. And if I save one life from this, then this process will have been worth it for me.”

Jill, 47. went on to say she was particularly surprised by the diagnosis because she had gotten a clear mammogram earlier this year. “I had a mammogram in January and it was perfect!” she said.

A doctor had recommended that she receive genetic testing during a series of aftercare appointments following fibroid surgery, so Jill ordered an at-home test.

“I spit into this tube and I mailed it in and honestly I forgot about it, and three weeks later I got a call saying, ‘You tested positive,’” she explained.

“I immediately went into producer mode—that’s the only mode I know. I got the names of doctors. I set up appointments,” she continued, noting that she had opted to undergo a preventive bilateral mastectomy. “I said to my husband, ‘This isn’t going to be the summer we thought it was going to be, but thank goodness that we caught it.’ I actually felt lucky.”

Less than a week later, Jill learned that she had already developed breast cancer, which was detected during a routine preoperative MRI.
“I went in and I remember she said it’s cancer and I remember saying, ‘Is it treatable?’ And she said, ‘Yes, yes, you’re going to be okay,’” Jill recalled. “I’m not telling you I don’t break down and cry at some points, but I still felt—still feel lucky.”

Jill will be taking a leave of absence from Today to undergo a bilateral mastectomy and start additional treatment.

“I really would rather not have to have chemotherapy, but if that’s something I have to deal with, I’ll deal with it,” she said. “The scary part of this is the unknown. It’s going into a surgery and not knowing if you’re going to come out needing chemotherapy or radiation treatment—that is probably the scariest part to me. I work better when I know there’s a project, when I know there’s a task to be completed.”

After the mastectomy, she’ll get a preventative hysterectomy. “I’ll have to have a hysterectomy in late October or around then in the fall, and then they do the second half of the reconstruction then,” she shared.

“I guess I’m allowed to be all different things at the same time, they’re not exclusive of each other,” she concluded. “I’m allowed to be sad and scared and mad and angry and also grateful and lucky and proactive. You’re allowed to be all those things together.”

We’re wishing Jill a speedy recovery.

Another big star recently received a similar diagnosis. Read more here.

Photos: Getty Images

Posted to: Jill Martin

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