JILL Martin has shared an emotional update on her breast cancer journey.
The Today third-hour commentator sat down with Savannah Guthrie, 51, and Hoda Kotb, 59, to discuss her treatment.
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Today’s Jill Martin has shared a major update on her breast cancer journeyCredit: NBC
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The US daytime TV anchor shared her story in a segment dedicated to watching her go through chemotherapyCredit: Getty
During the introduction of the interview, Hoda revealed that Jill, 47, continued to work despite her battle with cancer.
“It’s a disconnect cause I look like me and I see what people see and I sound like me but it’s been hard,” the US daytime TV host admitted.
She continued, looking straight into the camera: “As difficult as it’s been, it was so important for me to document this journey while fighting in real time. This has been hell for me and my family for the past two and a half months.”
Jill wanted viewers to be aware of early detection for women and men to get tested so they don’t have to go through what she is experiencing now.
During the summer, Jill was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
During her documentary segment, Jill admitted that she felt loved and safe.
Cameras followed the anchor while receiving treatment to show viewers what it’s like and later revealed that she was “fighting for her life.”
While getting chemo, she said: “It’s not the movie that you picture. It’s not throwing up in the bathroom. I sleep all day for five days.
“Chemo has something called ‘The Red Devil’ that I’m getting, that’s what they need to fight cancer. Chemo is my friend, fighting against this horrible disease.”
Jill explained that she was able to keep her hair during chemo by doing Cold Capping, which freezes the hair follicles – she later revealed that she did lose 30 percent of her hair.
The TV star then got emotional when she talked about her wedding last year.
“I felt so beautiful that night and I felt so happy and I enjoyed every pig in a blanket but I can’t help but think I had cancer there and if I caught it then would I not have needed all of that.”
Back in the studio, it took Jill a few minutes to gather herself after watching the clip while her co-hosts were helping Jill calm down.
Jill again pleaded to everyone to get tested early and how she could have avoided chemo.
She explained: “Everyone is either going through this or has someone going through this. What I want to say is don’t be scared to go get that test. Don’t get your mammogram, don’t put it off. The alternative is worse.
“Get the information, use it for your power and you take the power into your own hands so that you can take steps. I just want the information out there.”
Hoda couldn’t help but praise her co-star: “I see you walk into the studio saying hi to everyone just like the old Jill, carrying what you’re carrying and I know that you get strength from your family because I know they adore you.”
MORE INFORMATION
A mammogram takes an X-ray of the breast to look for early signs of breast cancer that can potentially be caught up to three years before it can be felt, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To conduct a mammogram, a person stands in front of a machine and places their breast on a plate and another presses the breast down to take the X-ray.
To schedule a mammogram, people may speak to their doctor or give the National Cancer Institute a call.
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She urged Today viewers to get tested for breast cancer earlyCredit: NBC
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‘This has been hell for me and my family for the past two and a half months,’ she said
