Sandra Lee battling breast cancer, will undergo double mastectomy

NEW YORK, May 12 (UPI) -- Sandra Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer in March and announced she will undergo a double mastectomy later this week.

As the television chef was leaving People's Most Beautiful photo shoot, her doctor called and told her the devastating news.

On Tuesday, she appeared on Good Morning America and revealed her diagnosis.

During the sit-down with Robin Roberts, who also recently battled cancer, she shared how she reacted when she got the call.

"I didn't even cry, I was stunned...You know, and that's just how fast life turns," Lee said. "It turns on a dime."

Lee initially had a lumpectomy, but after explaining that the doctors did not have "clear margins," she returned to her radiologist who suggested several weeks of radiation along with a mastectomy. After the doctors told Lee that she was a "ticking time-bomb," they recommended she remove tissue from both breasts.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has been Lee's partner for over 10 years, told People that he plans to be by her side in the operating room. "This is about her feeling secure and loved," he said.

The one thing the lifestyle guru wants to get out of this experience is spreading the word about early detection.

"Girls in 20s and their 30s just have to know. And I don't want women to wait. And that's why I'm talking. If it saves one person, and makes one more person go get a mammogram, and if they're sitting down right now watching this, don't watch this TV. Go pick your phone up, and call your doctor and get your rear end in there and get a mammogram right now," the 48-year-old said.

Watch below to see the entire interview.

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