NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Life has a way of surprising us with unexpected twists and turns, throwing challenges our way when we least expect it. Something similar happened with NBC ‘Today’ show lifestyle contributor, Jill Martin, who revealed that she’s being diagnosed with breast cancer on Monday’s broadcast.

During a recent episode of ‘Today’, Jill Martin opened up about her health struggles and her recent breast cancer diagnosis. Jill Martin is popularly known as the fashion expert and coauthor of ‘Fashion for Dummies’. She has been in association with the ‘Today’ show since 2006 and is acclaimed for her ‘Ambush Makeover’ and ‘Steals and Deals’ segments. She has also authored several books, including fashion and self-help guides. Martin has reported from The Emmys, Golden Globes, and Oscars as well. In 2009, she earned two Emmy Awards for her reporting with the New York Knicks.

Is Jill Martin OK?

The Emmy award winner reportedly opened up about her journey after her health issue discovery in an interview with ‘Today’ hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. She came along with her doctor on ‘Today’s’ set to share more insights into her diagnosis and how she’s been dealing so far. She tearfully shared her breast cancer diagnosis as she opened up about her news, she said, "This feels like an out-of-body experience." Expressing her emotions, Martin revealed, "I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. And it feels like someone else telling this story. Six weeks ago, it happened really fast.” She exclaimed that her mammogram in January showed no signs of cancer. However, due to her family's history with the disease, a doctor advised her to undergo breast cancer (BRCA) genetic testing a few weeks ago.

Martin confirmed that she underwent the genetic testing and received a positive result, prompting her to plan for preventative surgery. She said, “I got the test, and it came back positive. I was planning on getting the preventative surgery. That was my choice”. However, during the scans conducted before the surgery, doctors discovered the presence of cancer. Overwhelmed with emotion, she tearfully shared the history of breast cancer in her family, with her grandmother succumbing to the disease and her mother having undergone a successful double mastectomy. Martin expressed deep sadness, with tears, “What I’m most sad about is watching my parents watch me go through this.”

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie comfort Jill Martin

Hoda expressed heartfelt support for Martin, stating, "Jill, can we just say, we love you very much. We cannot wait to see you on the other side of this.” She continued, “You are full of optimism and hope, I know you’re scared, but you know that you have a family here waiting for you to come back with open arms.” It was announced that Martin would undergo surgery later in the week. Despite feeling broken, she expresses, “I feel devastated and sad and scared, but I feel empowered and strong.” In an interview with People, Martin emphasized the importance of being one's own advocate and expressed, “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. Of course, I'm devastated. You hear the C-word and you think the worst.” She continued in tears, “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.” Martin concluded, “And if I save one life from this, then this process will have been worth it for me.”