How Former 'DWTS' Co-Host Samantha Harris Decided to Tell Daughters She Has Cancer

April 11, 2014 — -- Former "Dancing with the Stars" co-host and ET correspondent Samantha Harris revealed earlier this week that she will have a double mastectomy to treat breast cancer.

But People magazine reports that when they spoke to the host, she had yet to make that announcement to her two daughters, Josselyn, 6, and Hillary, 3.

"They don't know yet," she told People. "I want them to hear from me first what Mommy has and that I'm going to be fine. I don't want them to be afraid."

Read: Former 'DWTS' Co-Host Samantha Harris to Have Double Mastectomy

Harris, 40, and her husband Michael Hess decided it would be best to tell the girls separately.

The couple will also make a video diary of her treatment that they may decide to show the girls one day.

"I don't know if we'll end up showing it to them, but at least we have the option," she said. "I'm a mom first and I've never wanted to live more than when having children."

Harris co-hosted "DWTS" from 2006 to 2010, before Brooke Burke-Charvet replaced her.

After the cancer diagnosis, Harris said earlier this week that she chose a double mastecomy "to take control" and made the choice right for her and her family. She said after making the tough choice, she now feels "so much calmer."