United Kingdom, March 1 -- Hoda Kotb refused to let breast cancer define her.

The 60-year-old star was diagnosed with the disease back in 2007 - undergoing a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery - but didn't want the illness to overwhelm her even though it changed her life.

Speaking to People at the Runway for Recovery event that honours breast cancer survivors, Hoda said: "When it comes to breast cancer, it's sort of like, get it early, get it out, and try not to be defined by it.

"It can shape you, but if it defines you, then you will spend your life feeling a certain way. So it's like understanding this is part of me, but not all of me. It's going to change me and I'll be different now.

"But what you'll find is you're braver, you'...