Today Show contributor Jill Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer just months after having a “clear” mammogram.

Martin opened up about her journey to receiving her breast cancer diagnosis during Monday’s (July 17) broadcast of The Today Show, where she was joined by Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.

“My mammogram was clear in January, [I was] up on my tests,” Martin explained. “My doctor said six weeks ago, even though my mother was tested for the BRCA gene and was negative, said get the genetic test anyways.”

She is referring to the gene linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer amongst others, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“I got the test and it came back positive. And so I was planning on getting the preventative surgery, that was my choice, because I have a 60-90% chance of getting breast cancer,” she said.

She explained that she knew she had a history of breast cancer in her family after her grandmother died of the disease and her mother underwent a double mastectomy herself.

The cancer was detected in a routine preoperative MRI scan. Fortunately, Martin was told the cancer was treatable.

“When I went in for my scans to get the preventative surgery – and this was all in the matter of three weeks – they found cancer,” Martin explained. “And so that test saved my life. Had I not gotten the test, I wouldn’t have gotten the scans and we would be telling a very different story.”

Kotb shared some motivating words with her colleague after she opened up about her emotional journey: “We love you very much. We cannot wait to see you on the other side of this. You are full of optimism and hope,” Kotb told her. “I know you’re scared, but you know that you have a family here waiting for you to come back with open arms.”

Martin is scheduled to have a bilateral mastectomy later this week. She will be taking a leave of absence to undergo treatment. She told People that she later plans to undergo a preventative hysterectomy in October as well as reconstructive surgery.

“I feel devastated, and sad and scared, but I feel empowered and strong,” she admitted on The Today Show.

But the television personality still took a moment to urge others to be proactive about their health: “Please see your doctors and see if genetic testing is appropriate.”

The Today Show airs on weekdays at 7 a.m. ET on NBC.