topic Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer! in Fashion

Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

CANDLEQUEEN — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:03:34 GMT

I just read this sad news that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, one week after after testing postive for the BRCA gene.

Apparently the article said she is going to have a bilateral mastectomy and undergo further treatment.

My Prayers go out to her as she and her husband go through this tough time!

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

KCDiva — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:09:42 GMT

My heart goes out to her. Since my daughter was diagnosed a year ago it seems so many women I know either have been diagnosed or in my conversation with people they tell me they had it. Sometimes it was found on their first mammogram. And they are well below 50. Under 40 as well. I pray for her and her family.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

Teddixat — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:11:53 GMT

Sorry to hear that. Early diagnosis? I hope all goes well and she has a total recovery. It's a dreaded disease. Where did you hear this ?

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

San Antonio Gal — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:16:30 GMT

Google it @Teddixat . She said her grandmother passed from breast cancer and her mom had a double mastectomy in her late 40's.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

San Antonio Gal — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:21:36 GMT

Jill Martin reveals breast cancer diagnosis: “I am devastated — and empowered at the same time”

Story by Jill Martin • 1h ago

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.

I had always feared this day would come, but I never really thought it would. Just three weeks before, in between work calls, I had taken an at-home saliva test by a genetic testing company and mailed it in. Honestly, I had forgotten I even did it.

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. If left untreated, DCIS can turn into invasive cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

After her surgery, she tested negative for mutations in her BRCA genes, and she is still negative. So I assumed I didn’t need to test for that, but was vigilant on keeping up with my screenings. And I had wrongly thought, like so many other friends I have since spoken to about this, that breast cancer was mostly something only women needed to monitor.

I was wrong. Very. If you are not familiar with this test, the BRCA1 and 2 genes, which I now know are inherited from your mother and father, are tumor suppressing genes that are important for fighting cancer. Mutations to these genes can greatly increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, especially breast, ovarian and prostate cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But because of my family history, my doctors at Schaffer, Schonholz & Drossman in New York, and my general practitioner, Dr. Allison Spatz, told me: “You should just get genetic testing anyway to make sure.” That suggestion saved my life. On June 20, I got a call from Dr. Susan Drossman telling me that I was BRCA2 positive. And as it turns out, my father is BRCA2 positive, too. And because of those positive tests, which I will be forever grateful we took, my father will get screened and stay vigilant about breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer, which he now knows he’s at a higher risk for.

And because of that test, I had a sonogram and an MRI and it turns out...I have breast cancer.

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.

It all happened so fast. It is hard to believe just one month ago I was in Paris celebrating my mother’s 75th birthday. But I have had some time to process, so now I’m in get-it-done robotic mode. 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.

Let me be clear: 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.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

depglass — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:29:44 GMT

Two of my close friends have had breast cancer. One had a double mastectomy, the other had a lumpectomy. Both are fine years later. Here's hoping Jill has the same result. Prayers for her.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

Teddixat — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:26:53 GMT

@San Antonio Gal I just read online that she had a perfect Mamo in January. So sad. She sounds very brave. I had Stage 0 breast cancer in situ in 2014. It has not spread. It was found very early. I had a lumpectomy and opted for no treatment. I wish her the very best. I'm sure she is scared and devastated.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

1Professor — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:27:22 GMT

@San Antonio Gal SO gratefful you shared this.

Her words, her thinking, her attitude.

Might be the most valuable thread anyone contributes to any subject today and for some time.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

CANDLEQUEEN — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:29:32 GMT

@San Antonio Gal Thanks so much for sharing the article!!-!

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

Caaareful Shopper — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:40:13 GMT

@San Antonio Gal Thank you so much for posting Jill's article.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

meallen616 — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:40:38 GMT

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

DSD2 — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:54:11 GMT

@San Antonio Gal thank you for posting this.

I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. My best friend had a double mastectomy in 2008 and this year, colon cancer. She is in remission - God bless her.

With faith and prayer, all things are possible.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

D Kay — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:08:04 GMT

She and her doctor were on the Today Show this morning.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

PhilaLady1 — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:18:27 GMT

I am saddened to learn that Jill has breast cancer. I hope that her treatments are successful. A reminder to all...please get checked. I hate to go to a doctor, I get so much anxiety even for a routine checkup, but I push myself to do it anyway. Don't delay, friends.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

millieshops — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:27:47 GMT

@CANDLEQUEEN @1Professor Thanks to both of you.

imo. one of the best uses of celebrity comes with their sharing such important health/safety information. They are far more likely to attract listeners than others can. Already early today many posters have reacted, their acknowledgement to the importance of the topic.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

Franklinbell — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:32:37 GMT

I saw her this morning on the today show with her physician. I’m praying for the best for her!

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:58:03 GMT

Sad to hear of yet another who's been diagnosed.

Sadder still that too many people don't know of other, much less invasive/damaging options that exist.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

Oldfaithful — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:55:14 GMT

🙏

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

Pecky — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:32:12 GMT

I just watched where Jill was telling what happened. It is so heart breaking to see her go through this. She was with her doctor who did explain more. I am sending prayers to Jill and her family.

Re: Jill Martin has Breast Cancer!

Estates — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:01:03 GMT

I also saw her on the Today show as I was switching off streaming this morning.

Color me ignorant but I was really surprised to find out her father carried the mutant gene.I guess I always assumed it was the woman's side of the family. I know men can get breast cancer. You learn something new every day.