Linda Evangelista Says Her 'Scars Are Trophies' After Surviving Breast Cancer Twice

The supermodel was a guest on 'The View,' where she talked about being diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2018 and again in July 2020

Linda Evangelista is reflecting on being a two-time breast cancer survivor.

On Thursday, the supermodel appeared on The View for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and opened up about being diagnosed in December 2018 and again in July 2020. During the show, co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked if her diagnoses differed.

“I think everybody’s experience is going to be different,” the 58-year-old began. “It started out with my routine mammogram. I know we don’t like doing our mammograms. I’m the biggest procrastinator, but that’s one thing I was really faithful to.”

Evangelista said she was called back into the room after her mammogram and learned she had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer.

“I have another disease that involves my lungs, and a lumpectomy that wasn’t so great ended up being a double mastectomy, which was the right decision for me. And I thought, you know, I’m not going to die of breast cancer,” she continued. “And then, you know, there’s this little little chance it comes back.”

Related: Linda Evangelista Reveals She Was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Twice in 5 Years: 'Survivor on Standby'

Evangelista ultimately went back to her oncologist after feeling a “bump” on her pectoral muscle, and she later learned her breast cancer returned.

“Everybody's story’s going to be nuanced,” she explained. “And mine ended up being, ‘Well just get it out and give you some radiation.’ But I had a really bad oncotype score. It’s a score that tells you your probability of getting the cancer again. They take into account many many things including genetics. But mine was bad.”

“I had to have chemo — I’m on fantastic meds for five years, they make you feel so good,” she said sarcastically. “They’re horrible. They’re hormone suppressors. They make you feel old.”

“I’ve had so many surgeries and I thought I could tackle anything but nothing like chemo to put you in your… you know,” she shared before telling Joy Behar that she’s embracing her scars from her battles.

“I’m okay with scars,” the model said. “I think scars are trophies. I’m good with scars.”

Evangelista also said since battling breast cancer, she values life much more. Her goal is survival, she says — to "get really, really old. "

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Evangelista first detailed her breast cancer journey in her cover story for  WSJ. Magazine’s Fall Men’s Style issue last month.

She told the outlet that recently, her post-cancer care oncologist told her that her prognosis is “good,” despite knowing the chance for her cancer to return again.

Evangelista acknowledged that because her future is uncertain, she’s simply grateful for each day.

“I know I have one foot in the grave, but I’m totally in celebration mode,” she said. “I’ve come through some horrible health issues. I’m at a place where I’m so happy celebrating my book [Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel], my life. I’m so happy to be alive. Anything that comes now is bonus.”

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.