Angelina Jolie has double mastectomy to reduce breast cancer risk
Published: 2013 May 14 10:24:26 (5935 Views)
Angelina Jolie has revealed that she has had a preventive double mastectomy after tests showed an 87% chance of contracting breast cancer.
The Hollywood actress is healthy and made the brave decision to undergo the procedure after discovering she carries the BRCA1 cancer gene.
In an open piece written titled 'My Medical Choice' in the New York Times, the 37-year-old – whose mother Marcheline Bertrand died at the age of 56 from ovarian cancer – told how she has a 50% chance of contracting.
Angelina said: "My doctors estimated that I had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman.
"Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65% risk of getting it, on average.
"Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy.
"I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex.
"On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work."
The surgery was successful and doctors believe Angelina's chances of developing breast cancer have reduced to less than 5%.
Angelina wrote: "I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made.
"My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."
In the emotional article, Angelina admits she's "fortunate" to receive partner Brad Pitt's support praises during the treatment.
Angelina has a family of six - Shiloh, 6, Zahara, 8, Pax, 9, Maddox, 11, Knox and Vivenne, 4 –and reassured her children during the brave treatment.
"It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that's it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was.
"And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can.
"I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition.
"Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries.
"We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has."
Angelina explains the double mastectomy won't make her feel "any less of a woman" and hopes to encourage others to stay fully informed with their choices.
"On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity," she said.
"I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people's hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness.
"But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action."
She continued: "For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options.
"I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.
"I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer.
"It is my hope that they, too, will be will able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options."
She concludes: "Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of."
- Mirror
The Hollywood actress is healthy and made the brave decision to undergo the procedure after discovering she carries the BRCA1 cancer gene.
In an open piece written titled 'My Medical Choice' in the New York Times, the 37-year-old – whose mother Marcheline Bertrand died at the age of 56 from ovarian cancer – told how she has a 50% chance of contracting.
Angelina said: "My doctors estimated that I had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman.
"Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65% risk of getting it, on average.
"Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy.
"I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex.
"On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work."
The surgery was successful and doctors believe Angelina's chances of developing breast cancer have reduced to less than 5%.
Angelina wrote: "I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made.
"My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."
In the emotional article, Angelina admits she's "fortunate" to receive partner Brad Pitt's support praises during the treatment.
Angelina has a family of six - Shiloh, 6, Zahara, 8, Pax, 9, Maddox, 11, Knox and Vivenne, 4 –and reassured her children during the brave treatment.
"It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that's it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was.
"And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can.
"I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition.
"Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries.
"We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has."
Angelina explains the double mastectomy won't make her feel "any less of a woman" and hopes to encourage others to stay fully informed with their choices.
"On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity," she said.
"I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people's hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness.
"But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action."
She continued: "For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options.
"I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.
"I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer.
"It is my hope that they, too, will be will able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options."
She concludes: "Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of."
- Mirror
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