"Survivor: Africa" winner Ethan Zohn has been diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to People magazine.

Zohn, 35, was diagnosed with the disease April 30, and began chemotherapy on Friday, the magazine said.

"This is the ultimate game of 'Survivor' and there's really only one outcome, and that's to win. There's no other option," Zohn told People in an exclusive.

Zohn's diagnosis came after he experienced months of unexplained itching and night sweats. According to People, doctors discovered an enlarged lymph node under his left clavicle and a CT scan revealed a large mass on the left side of his chest.

The magazine said that Zohn's form of cancer -- CD20-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma -- affects about 5 percent of all Hodgkin's patients. Like the more common form of Hodgkin's, CD-20 has about a 90 percent survival rate. The difference between the two is more of an aggressive treatment for CD-20.

Zohn was 14 when he lost his father to colon cancer.

The reality show winner said that he's going to use his cancer fight to inspire others.

"This is happening for a reason," Zohn told the magazine. "You have to get spiritual about this (stuff). I know I want to help people and inspire people. That's my purpose in life. So I need to use this as a platform."