On Tuesday CNN anchor Zoraida Sambolin revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and plans to go under the knife for a double mastectomy procedure.

The Daily Mail reported that Sambolin, 47, who anchors CNN's "Early Start," said on the early morning show that like Angelina Jolie, who revealed that she had a double mastectomy , her desire to want to be there for her two children helped her make the decision.

Sambolin, who is engaged to White Sox Executive Vice President Kenny Williams, praised Jolie as a "brave woman" for sharing her decision to have the procedure.

Following the show the anchor wrote on her Facebook page, "I struggled for weeks trying to figure out how tell you that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was leaving to have surgery then Angelina Jolie shares her story of a double mastectomy and gives me strength and an opening. #bravewoman."

According to the New York Daily News, Sambolin, revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago however the anchor is unaware whether she has the BRCA1 gene, which is inherited. But chose to undergo genetic testing for it because of the large number of women in her family.

Her biggest worry was telling her children especially her nine-year-old daughter, Sophia. The anchor was unsure how the young child would react to the word "cancer." Upon revealing her illness to her daughter Sambolin assured her that she would not lose her hair or become ill.

"At the end of the day, I need to have peace of mind," the CNN anchor said.

"I need to sleep at night. I have two kids that are my world, like any woman, and it's what you think about. So I thought for me, this would be the best decision moving forward so I could feel confident that it's not something that I'm going to have to deal with that much more in the future."

Fans praised Zoraida Sambolin on her Facebook page, one user said, "You're an inspiration to women everywhere. Speedy recovery and prayers to a very brave woman!"