CLEVELAND -- Good Morning America's anchor Robin Roberts is fighting breast cancer and she told NewsChannel5's Danita Harris that her weapon is her positive attitude.

Harris sat down and talked with Roberts in an exclusive interview recently.

Roberts shared how the three Ds in her life help her cope with the disease.

Harris reported that Roberts was raised with the three Ds constantly in mind -- discipline, determination and da Lord.

She said her mother, an Akron native, taught her these principles.

In Roberts' book "From The Heart," she shares seven principles to live by, with an emphasis on the ones her mother taught her.

"There are so many people who want something but they are not willing to work for it, so you have to have discipline and determination," she said. "Don't take no for answer. No one would ever think that I would be a weekend sports anchor, but I was determined. I had no idea it would lead to this."

She continues: "Da Lord really should have been first. Spirituality, religion in our family is paramount. It is the foundation. It is the cornerstone of everything that we build upon."