Today show’s Jill Martin to undergo ’emergency’ surgery for complications following breast cancer treatment

by

Jill Martin, a lifestyle expert on the Today show, announced she needs another surgery because of issues that have arisen from her cancer treatment.

The journalist, 49, announced on January 9th that she needs an immediate procedure to fix skin damage resulting from radiation treatment she received for breast cancer. She had previously announced she was cancer-free in early 2025.

She explained that just when you feel like you’ve overcome a challenge, life often shows you that recovery isn’t a straight path – there are ups and downs.

Following her friend and former colleague Hoda Kotb’s public struggle with breast cancer, Martin clarified that she was going back to the hospital for reconstructive surgery, not because her cancer had returned.

She explained it’s about taking steps to prevent a future problem, not dealing with a current emergency – although waiting to act could lead to something more serious. She also wanted to be clear: she does not have cancer again.

This will mark Martin’s eighth surgery since being diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2023.

One week after tests revealed Martin had the BRCA gene – a gene that greatly raises the risk of cancers like breast and ovarian cancer – he received a diagnosis.

That same year, she had a double mastectomy, removing 16 lymph nodes, and then underwent four months of chemotherapy and three weeks of radiation. She also had reconstructive surgery and, as a precaution, her ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed.

Dr. Elisa Port, a breast surgeon with Mount Sinai Health System and one of the patient’s doctors, explained on the Today show that radiation therapy – which targets cancer cells beneath the skin – can sometimes cause skin irritation or damage.

As Port explained, the main aim of a mastectomy is to completely remove the breast cancer.

The doctor explained that for patients like Jill, who carry the BRCA mutation, the aim is often to remove all breast tissue. This can leave the remaining skin very thin, and it can be difficult for the skin to heal and adjust.

Dr. Port explained that Martin will have a follow-up procedure to help strengthen his surgical wound and prevent it from reopening, which could lead to infection. It’s similar to getting a skin graft.

Martin anticipates staying in the hospital for more than three nights, followed by several weeks of recovery at home.

‘I feel worn out and grateful all at once,’ the Emmy Award-winninng TV personality admitted.

It often feels like the challenges will never be over, but even so, I’m thankful. I appreciate the quick response I received, the excellent care from my doctors, and the opportunity to continue making progress.

Martin’s health ordeal began a year after her 2022 wedding to Ethos Capital founder Erik Brooks. 

However, the couple decided to call it quits in 2024 after just two years of marriage.

According to a source who spoke with People magazine, Jill is prioritizing her well-being and wants to contribute to a good cause. She’s kicking off a Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign on October 1st and also starting a new business venture this month.

Martin shared in 2024 that she felt thankful her diagnosis came after her wedding to Brooks, describing the wedding as a completely joyful experience.

She described this as the start of a new adventure, and while it would be different, she was ready to embrace it. “It’s not a bad thing,” she explained.

Last March, Martin told her Today show colleagues she was giving internet dating a try.

‘I’m on these dating apps, and I’ve perfected the FaceTime date as being super efficient,’ she admitted.

I usually set up a quick coffee or drink – whichever works best with the person’s time zone, since I connect with people from all over. I’ve even got a list to keep track of everything.

She explained that Zoom calls are convenient because you only need to dress professionally from the waist up – you can stay comfortable below the camera’s view, making things very efficient.

Martin explained that having dates over FaceTime saved her the trouble of picking out an outfit and dealing with the stress of a first date.

She explained that you can quickly tell if there’s a connection with someone, even on FaceTime. Many of her single friends are hesitant to suggest a video call as a date, but she thinks we should make it more common. It only takes 15 or 20 minutes, and if there’s no spark, you can easily move on.

Read More

2026-01-10 02:04