Angelina Jolie, a renowned Hollywood star and a mother of six, made headlines when she boldly decided to undergo a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer. Her story was one of courage and strength, as she shared the harrowing process of discovering her high risk for the disease and ultimately making the decision to remove her breasts, a defining feature of femininity. Breast cancer is a prevalent condition that afflicts women worldwide, with its causes still not fully understood. Nonetheless, it is known that abnormal growth and division of breast cells lead to tumor formation, which can spread to other parts of the body. While only a small percentage of breast cancer cases are due to genetic factors, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been identified as cancer-causing agents.
Angelina Jolie was born into a family that tragically lost three of its members to cancer. Her mother, aunt, and grandmother all died from breast and ovarian cancer at relatively young ages. Unfortunately, Jolie herself also inherited the mutated BRCA1 gene, which significantly increased her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. In fact, according to medical experts, Jolie had an 87% chance of developing breast cancer and a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer.
Given these daunting odds and the desire to protect her children, Jolie made the difficult decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy. In her own words, she tried to remain calm and strong throughout this ordeal, knowing that she wanted to be there for her children as they grew up and started families of their own. She also recognized that removing her breasts was the best way to minimize her risk of developing breast cancer.
While this was certainly a challenging time for Jolie, she has since become an advocate for women’s health and encourages others to take control of their own health and well-being.
Angelina Jolie made a decision in February 2013 to undergo breast surgery. Initially, she underwent a procedure called “nipple-saving” surgery, which involved removing pathogens from the mammary glands and breast tissue behind the nipples. Although this process was painful and left bruises, it increased the chances of saving her nipple. Two weeks later, she underwent major surgery where all of her breast tissue and mammary glands were removed and temporary replacement tissues were put in. This surgery lasted for eight hours and when Jolie woke up, she found herself surrounded by tubes and wires on her chest. She continued to undergo breast reconstruction using implants for nine weeks following the major surgery. Jolie’s decision to give up her “natural duties” as a woman in order to continue being a mother is a powerful example of courage and determination.
Angelina Jolie made the difficult decision to undergo a mastectomy, but she is now happy with her choice as it has significantly decreased her chances of developing breast cancer. She wants other women to know that the decision is not easy, but it can ultimately be one of the happiest things they do. Later, Jolie had surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes due to her heightened risk of ovarian cancer, which her mother had passed away from. Although this surgery caused some physical changes and early menopause, Jolie remains courageous and unafraid of whatever life throws her way. Nearly a year after the mastectomy, Jolie is still glowing and grateful for her good doctors and smooth recovery. She feels lucky to have been able to work on the film Unbroken during her recovery, and is excited to return to work soon.
During the 2014 Oscars, Angelina Jolie looked stunning. However, her beauty is not the only thing that she is known for. Despite undergoing two surgeries to reduce her risk of cancer, Jolie wrote letters that were published in the New York Times called “My Medical Choice” and “Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of Surgery”. In these letters, Jolie encouraged other women to consider their options regarding genetic testing, especially those who may be living in the shadow of cancer. She hoped to inspire women to take control of their health and become aware of the many options available to them.
Jolie’s openness about her experience had a significant impact and created what is now known as the “Angelina Effect”. Medical centers around the world saw a surge in interest in tests to detect the BRCA1 gene variant and other early detection tests for breast cancer. For instance, in some cities in Poland, the number of women undergoing mammograms increased by 50% compared to before Jolie’s public revelation. In the UK, the number of women registering for genetic testing doubled, while in some medical facilities in Toronto, Canada, it increased nearly 100%. While there are no complete statistics on the number of women worldwide who have undergone these tests, it is apparent that more and more women are showing interest in cancer prevention. Additionally, the news about Jolie’s oophorectomy resulted in a sudden increase in people registering for tests to screen for cancer risk in this organ.
Angelina Jolie has emerged as a driving force for women to prioritize cancer prevention and early detection. Her candid revelations have sparked a global interest in the prevention of the disease. Jolie’s ultimate aim is to encourage people to be proactive about preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer early on, rather than waiting for it to happen. She does not advocate for young or unnecessary surgeries to remove breasts or ovaries. Rather, she urges individuals to seek information, consult with experts, and get tested to make informed and effective prevention decisions.
