( CNN ) -- CNN `` Early Start '' co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have a double mastectomy , she told viewers Tuesday while discussing film star Angelina Jolie 's decision to have the surgery as a preventative measure . `` 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 , '' Sambolin said in a posting to her Facebook page Tuesday . `` Then , Angelina Jolie shares her story of a double mastectomy and gives me strength and an opening . '' Jolie announced in a New York Times op-ed published Tuesday that she had undergone double mastectomy surgery after learning she has an elevated risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer . During her `` Early Start '' appearance , Sambolin said the decision to opt for a mastectomy was a difficult one , but was made easier by reading Jolie 's perspective . `` She said I feel empowered , that I 'm in a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity , '' Sambolin said . `` You know , it 's nice to hear somebody else talk about it and have that support of a lot of women around you . '' `` At the end of the day , I need to have peace of mind , '' she added . `` 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 . '' Sambolin is scheduled to have the surgery on May 28 , she told viewers . She said she is opting for surgery similar to Jolie 's . She said she has a history of fibrocystic breast tissue , which made making a diagnosis difficult , and said early detection through regular mammograms was key for her . `` I did n't mess around . I went when I was supposed to go , and I followed it diligently , '' she said . Dozens of people expressed support for Sambolin on her Facebook page . `` You are an amazing and strong woman and I know you will beat this ! '' Facebook user Jennifer Majerus posted . `` Praying for you Z ! , '' Facebook user Charles Barnes posted to her page . `` I know you will overcome this challenge ! ''
NEW : ` ` At the end of the day , I need to have peace of mind , '' Sambolin says . Angelina Jolie 's op - ed gives CNN anchor ` ` opening '' to discuss her diagnosis . Zoraida Sambolin says she ` ` struggled for years '' over how to take responsibility . She tells viewers she will have surgery May 28 .