Hoda Kotb — who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and underwent a mastectomy — opened up to PEOPLE about how she never saw her diagnosis coming as someone who lived a healthy lifestyle.

Hoda Kotb offered some words of wisdom for people with cancer during a recent event celebrating those who have braved their way through breast cancer diagnoses. Kotb, who retired from her long-running Today show co-hosting gig in January,

Hoda Kotb has spoken of the importance at refusing to let breast cancer define her as she reflected on being diagnosed with the disease in 2007.