Amber Marchese departs 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey'

COLTS NECK, N.J., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Amber Marchese is departing Bravo series The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

The 38-year-old reality star revealed the news in an interview with People published Tuesday. Marchese, who joined the program in season 6, said she and husband Jim Marchese made the decision in light of her continued battle with cancer.

"Jim and I have been giving Real Housewives of New Jersey a lot of thought and given the current state of affairs regarding our personal lives and the show, we officially decided to move on," she told the magazine.

"The show was not what we expected it to be, and I want to pursue more suitable endeavors," she added. "I had little control over content, situations, or what they decide to show the viewers ... I wish them all well and the best of luck, although, my husband does not share my sentiments."

Marchese previously beat breast cancer in 2009, but discovered she relapsed in April. She and Jim Marchese married in 2004, and share two children, son Corbin and daughter Isabella, in addition to his two sons, Michael and Sebastian.

"This show doesn't fit who we are as people, our lifestyle and who we are as a family," Jim Marchese told Radar Online. "The delay in filming, her health issues and then watching the direction of Teresa Checks In, it just solidified our decision [to leave]."

The Real Housewives of New Jersey is expected to return for a seventh season with Dina Manzo, Melissa Gorga, Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano in 2016. Teresa Giudice may take part following her release from prison in December.