Former NBC anchor Jenna Wolfe, 49, reveals she underwent a hysterotomy

Former NBC anchor Jenna Wolfe has revealed that she underwent a hysterectomy to reduce her risk of developing ovarian cancer after testing positive for the BRCA-1

The journalist and personal trainer, 49, shared photos of herself in the hospital on Instagram Wednesday while opening up about her recent diagnosis and surgery, admitting that she is a ‘little scared.’

Wolfe, who shares two daughters with her longtime partner, NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, explained that her hysterotomy was her first of two procedures.

‘You know, for a long time, my approach to life was always: if you stumble, make it part of the dance. And until recently, I managed to stumble/dance/stumble/dance my way through everything… network television, personal training, parenting. Then I hit a pretty bumpy stretch, the most recent of which I wanted to share with you,’ she wrote in the caption. 

The journalist and personal trainer shared photos of herself in the hospital on Instagram Wednesday while opening up about her recent diagnosis and surgery

Wolfe and her longtime partner, NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, share daughters Harper Estelle, nine, and Quinn Lily, eight

‘About a month ago, I tested positive for the BRCA-1 breast cancer gene (meaning my chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer are… well… really high), leaving me little wiggle room to “mull over my choices.”‘

Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a high risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. 

Preventative surgeries to reduce the risk include a hysterotomy to remove all or part of the uterus and a mastectomy to remove one or both breasts. 

‘Without a ton of options, I stared down my fears, took a deep breath and opted for two pretty big surgeries,’ Wolfe explained. ‘My hysterectomy is the first. It’s not fun, not easy, not at all pleasant (I’m terrified of needles) but it’s something I need to do. The second surgery, the bigger one, will be in 2 weeks.’

The former Today host noted that she is ‘happy to share more with anyone going through something similar while revealing the questions that are now running through her own mind. 

The former NBC anchor shared that about a month ago she tested positive for the BRCA-1 gene mutation, which means she has a high risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer 

‘Without a ton of options, I stared down my fears, took a deep breath and opted for two pretty big surgeries,’ Wolfe explained. ‘My hysterectomy is the first’

Wolfe admitted that she is a ‘little scared’ to face what is ahead, but she knows that she needs to let herself be scared ‘to learn how to overcome it’ 

‘Something like this spins your head a few whirls. Am I going to be ok? Will I heal? Will I ever have the drive I once had?’ she asked. ‘I mean, a big chunk of my life is based around fitness and wellness. I know I make it all look “cute” on social media… but we all know it’s usually far from cute. Especially with kids. 

‘Half the time, I’m up at 4:30 am, sneaking in a quick workout before the kids get up, grabbing anything edible, racing to school, often times half dressed, most of the time half-witted.’

Wolfe and Gosk share two daughters, Harper Estelle, nine, and Quinn Lily, eight. 

‘I’ll admit I’m a little scared. (About a lot of things in my life right now.) But I also know I have to let myself be scared sometimes to learn how to overcome it. It’s easy to ignore the hard things and opt for the comforts of safety,’ she said. 

‘But safety never challenged anyone or scared anyone or pushed anyone down or pulled anyone up. Safety just sort of sits there, keeps you from moving… from growing, from thriving.’

‘These two surgeries are just the latest in what has been… let’s call it a challenging two years for me,’ she added. ‘But with anything in life, the only way is through. 

‘And I’m going through. I realize everyone has a story. This is mine. (Well, it’s part of mine). As I embark on it, I’ll be thinking about you and yours.’