Contributing author Jill Martin revealed her breast cancer diagnosis to Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on July 17. Tearful Martin said, “I feel like someone else is telling this story.
She added that she had continued to get her routine mammograms and had recently been given the all-clear during a consultation in January. Martin revealed to People that she underwent testing to determine whether she carried the BRCA gene due to family history, and she did.
According to the Mayo Clinic, those who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation are “significantly more likely to develop breast cancer or ovarian cancer.”.
Martin’s discovery prompted her to talk to her doctors about surgery in order to improve her health and prevent being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future. Martin claims that when she went in for all of her pre-surgery scans, her doctors found cancer, adding, “That was my choice.”.
“I’m obviously devastated.
You immediately assume the worst when you hear the C-word, she told People magazine. “Having a platform to share my story has also given me strength because I know that while I’m recovering, I’ll be able to save lives. And if I can save one life as a result of this, I will consider this process to have been worthwhile, she continued. Martin is prepared to move on at this point.
A breast cancer diagnosis was made for Jill Martin during an MRI. After hearing the news, she questioned whether the cancer was treatable; she was assured that it was and that she would be fine.
Martin is dreading the surgery that will be divided into two parts because of what lies beyond. She told People, “I really would prefer not to have to have chemotherapy, but if that is something I have to deal with, I’ll deal with it.
The unknown is what makes this terrifying. The scariest part for me is going into surgery not knowing if you’ll need chemotherapy or radiation treatment. When I am aware of a task or project to be finished, I work better, she observed. Midway through July, Martin will have a mastectomy.
In October, she would have a prophylactic hysterectomy followed by another surgery for the “second half of the reconstruction,” according to the website.
Martin has the full backing of her family, including her husband of one month, Erik Brooks, as well as her friends and coworkers. On “Today,” Hoda Kotb gave Martin a big hug and expressed her excitement to see Martin “after this.”. Martin wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to nudge women to get their BRCA gene tested and maintain regular doctor visits, especially for mammograms. “.
