On July 17, 2023, Jill Martin shared the news of her breast cancer diagnosis on "Today" with her co-hosts and fans. Her emotional revelation was not only surprising to fans of the show but also garnered her support as she shared details of the last few weeks. Martin also wrote a piece for Today.com that went live on the same day she spoke about her diagnosis on the show. It began, "June 26 at 3:30 p.m. I remember saying to myself, 'My life is never going to be the same.' It was the day I was told I had breast cancer."
Concerned about her family history, Martin mailed in a saliva sample to a genetic testing company, explaining to her fans in her piece, "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." The testing of her genes impacted Martin's diagnosis, as she was referred to get an MRI, which is when they discovered the cancer was present.
The 47-year-old is undergoing a double mastectomy and is staying positive and empowered despite the heartbreak. In her piece, she writes, "Let me be clear: I am heartbroken for so many reasons, but mostly watching my parents watch me go through this... I am devastated and empowered, all at the same time."
