Jill Martin Reveals She Has Breast Cancer In Heartrending Essay

Jul 18, 2023 by apost team

Jill Martin is a remarkable TV personality whose versatile talents and passion for the world of entertainment have captivated audiences worldwide. With a warm and engaging demeanor, she has become a household name known for her work in various realms of the television industry. 

Born on April 14, 1976, in New York City. Her career took off in the world of journalism, where she displayed her flair for storytelling and connecting with people. She worked diligently as a reporter and anchor for various news channels, showcasing her impeccable communication skills and ability to handle live broadcasts with ease. Her charismatic on-screen presence and dedication to her craft earned her recognition and opened doors for her in the competitive field of broadcasting.

As her career progressed, Martin found her niche in sports journalism. Combining her passion for sports with her journalistic expertise, she excelled as a sports reporter and commentator, providing insightful analysis and covering some of the most significant sporting events. Her knowledge and understanding of the sports world further solidified her reputation as a competent and engaging TV personality.

Martin’s journey took an exciting turn when she began to delve into fashion and lifestyle. Her keen eye for style, coupled with her warm and relatable demeanor, made her an ideal expert in these fields. She shared her insights on fashion trends, beauty tips, and home decor, captivating a new audience and broadening her reach as a television personality.

Martin’s breakthrough came when she joined NBC’s “Today” show. Her segments on style and shopping became highly popular, and her ability to connect with viewers earned her a devoted following.

However, tragedy struck when in June 2023, Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer. She opened up to Today about her journey and revealed the optimism she still holds despite the prognosis.

Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 26, 2023, and less than a month later, on July 17, 2023, she penned a personal and frank essay on her health journey thus far. 

“I am telling this story now because I couldn’t go through months of operations, and start to recover both physically and mentally, without shouting from the rooftops telling everyone to check with their doctors to see if genetic testing is appropriate. By the time I recover from my first surgery, I hope that many of you will know your results and can make proactive decisions with your doctors, families and loved ones. That is the silver lining to this mess for me. It is what is keeping me going and giving me strength,” Martin wrote.

She explained that she had a family history of breast cancer, with her grandmother passing from it and her mother diagnosed with it as well. Her own diagnosis came three weeks after she had undertaken an at-home saliva test by a genetics testing company to detect mutations in the BRCA1 and 2 genes. She credited one of her doctors’ encouragement to take the test “just to be sure” as having “saved my life.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mutations in these genes greatly increase the risk of developing some cancers, particularly breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. Martin then underwent a sonogram and an MRI that confirmed she had breast cancer.

However, Martin refuses to let the diagnosis bring her down.

“Different people cope in different ways; for me, I am not hiding under the covers crying. Instead, I want to do everything I can to beat this and protect my family,” she wrote. Martin has been married to businessman Erik Brooks since September 2022. They have no children together.

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Martin said that the worst thing about the situation was watching her parents struggle. She wrote:

“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.”

Martin said she would undergo a double mastectomy as well as reconstruction as part of the treatment. She said she would also remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a preventative measure after doctors told her her chances of getting ovarian cancer were now 20% higher. “That is not a percentage I am willing to live with,” she said.

Martin explained she was not writing the essay “to scare you, but to raise awareness.” She then encouraged readers to get regular screenings, talk to their doctors and be informed, noting that, according to the American Cancer Society, mammograms miss 1 in 8 breast cancers. 

Martin added that she had also penned the essay in light of what has come to be known as the “Angelina Jolie Effect.” This referred to the number of people who got tested shooting up 105% in the six months after Jolie’s 2013 decision to undergo preventative surgery due to her mother passing away from breast and ovarian cancer, and after she tested positive for the BRCA gene. 

“Do you know how many lives she likely helped save? My guess is a lot,” Martin wrote.

Lastly, Martin gave her assurance that she had a great support system and knew “exactly what needs to be done.” She wrote:

“Am I scared? Of course. Who wouldn’t be? But I know cancer has nothing on me.”

What are your thoughts on Jill Martin’s essay? Do you find her words to be brave and inspiring? Let us know, then pass this along to friends and family, too.