NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jill Martin, who was diagnosed with breast cancer weeks ago, has opened up about her struggles and her plan of action. The 'Today' presenter wrote, “I had always feared this day would come, but I never really thought it would. Just three weeks before, in between work calls. I had taken an at-home saliva test by a genetic testing company and mailed it in. Honestly, I had forgotten I even did it.”
The Emmy-winning host shared that her family has a history of this deadly disease. “My grandmother passed away from breast cancer. And my beautiful mother — who is healthy now — had a double mastectomy in her late 40s after being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, often referred to as stage 0 breast cancer. If left untreated, DCIS can turn into invasive cancer,” she said.
Is Jill Martin OK?
Jill Martin is determined to fight her recent breast cancer diagnosis and though it is a devastating development, she also feels ‘empowered.’ “Let me be clear: I am heartbroken for so many reasons, but mostly watching my parents watch me go through this. But I trust my father with every morsel of my being and he told me, “We got this, and we will fight this together.” I am devastated and empowered, all at the same time.”
The TV personality also shared that her ovaries will be taken out as well. “I will also need my ovaries and fallopian tubes taken out as part of the preventative surgery process as my chances of getting ovarian cancer are now 20% higher, according to my doctors. That is not a percentage I am willing to live with.”
'Honestly, I am doing OK'
Jill wants others to learn from her experience. "If you are a woman who’s tested positive for a mutation to the BRCA1 or 2 genes, you have a greater than 50% chance of getting breast cancer by the time you turn 70. If you are a man who’s tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation, as my father is, you have a seven to eight percent chance of developing breast cancer.”
In her essay for 'Today,' she expressed her gratitude for the support she is getting from family. “Honestly, I am doing OK. I have a loving husband, amazing family and friends, and an incredible support system. I have my head on straight and know exactly what needs to be done,” she said.
