US TV host Jill Martin was about to undergo preventative cancer surgery when she received shock news

Jill Martin was about to undergo preventative surgery after testing positive for the BRCA gene mutation when she received some shocking news.

Last month, the US Today Show lifestyle correspondent, 47, who has a family history of breast cancer and lost her grandmother to the disease, was told she too would be facing her own cancer battle.

Martin shared her diagnosis during a recent TV segment, saying, "It feels like someone else is telling this story."

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"Six weeks ago I was up on my mammograms, like went in January. I have a history of breast cancer in my family," she told viewers.Today Show lifestyle correspondent explained.

"I was planning on getting the preventative surgery. That was my choice, because I have a 60 to 90 per cent chance of getting breast cancer."

Martin's mother had previously undergone a preventative double mastectomy and made a full recovery.

The presenter said it was when she went in to get her scans that the cancer was found.

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"And so, that test saved my life," she said of the BRCA gene mutation test she had undergone three weeks earlier.

"Had I not gotten the test I wouldn't have gotten the scans and we would be telling a very different story."

Martin confessed the hardest part of her cancer battle was "watching my parents watching me go through it."

She urged viewers to talk to their doctors and "go and get tested."

Fighting back tears, Martin explained she would be undergoing surgery to remove the cancer.

"I don't know what's going to happen, but I know that while I'm healing and while I'm resting and while I prep for the second surgery, everyone could go out and get their genetic testing and their families can know," she added.

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The BRCA gene test is a simple blood test that determines if you have mutations in your DNA that increases your risk of breast cancer. There is both a BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant.

Martin has tested positive for the BRCA2 variant, which is most closely linked to breast cancer.

Writing for US Today, Martin said she is "doing OK."

"I have a loving husband, amazing family and friends and an incredible support system," she wrote.

"I have my head on straight and know exactly what needs to be done. Am I scared? Of course. Who wouldn't be? But I know cancer has nothing on me."

Martin has taken leave from the show during her treatment.

She said had she known she was a carrier of the BRCA gene mutation she would have gotten the preventative surgery sooner.

"And then I wouldn't have to be dealing with cancer," she said.