When was Hoda Kotb diagnosed with cancer? Former Today Show host reflects on her health journey

On the March 26 episode of the Making Space podcast, host and television personality Hoda Kotb, while in conversation with Elle Macpherson, shared her battle with cancer after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Kotb has reportedly been cancer-free since.

The podcast guest, Elle Macpherson, was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and is currently said to be in "clinical remission." Both Kotb and Macpherson reportedly chose to forgo chemotherapy.

Hoda Kotb, the 60-year-old broadcast journalist, recalled:

I remember after my diagnosis, I went to three other specialists. I had a mastectomy, and one doctor said, 'You need chemo.' One said, 'You don't need chemo.' And one said, 'You can't make a mistake either way' One person said, ‘You’ll be dead if you don’t do it.’ I couldn’t believe it. I mean, I have chills right now thinking about it.”

On the podcast, Kotb reportedly shared that she decided not to undergo chemotherapy as her cancer hadn't spread to her lymph nodes and she chose what was "right" for her. However, she did undergo a mastectomy, which successfully removed the cancer cells from her body.

Kotb and Macpherson also discussed how they were judged for their choices regarding their approach to cancer treatment. Macpherson recently made headlines for talking about her holistic approach to dealing with her cancer diagnosis. The supermodel shared:

There's been a lot of judgment around my decision. But, you know, I had to live with the decision that I made. Not anybody else.

More Details on Hoda Kotb's Cancer Battle

Hoda Kotb, prominently known for being the host of NBC's Today show, has been in the journalism field for about two decades. In 2007, Kotb was diagnosed with breast cancer while undergoing her first-ever mammogram. In an earlier episode of the podcast, she shared:

When I got sick, I remember it so clearly because I was thinking to myself, like, 'How do I have breast cancer?' and ''why do I need a mastectomy?

She decided not to undergo chemo as her cancer hadn't spread to her lymph nodes and instead chose to have a mastectomy in March 2007. Kotb believes that her cancer diagnosis helped her become "fearless."

Hoda Kotb has also been open about the difficult aspects of her diagnosis and surgery, including body image issues and not being able to have children. However, she shared that she was able to get through it with the support of other survivors and loved ones. She and her ex-partner, Joel Schiffman, adopted two daughters: Haley Joy in 2017 and Hope Catherine in 2019.

According to reports, Kotb's cancer journey also inspired her to become an advocate for cancer awareness. After leaving the Today show earlier this year, Kotb reportedly announced that she is planning to launch a wellness app and company.