Angelina Jolie reveals she underwent preventive double mastectomy

Wanting to assure her children that they would not lose her to breast cancer, actress Angelina Jolie decided to undergo preventive double mastectomy, finishing the three months of medical procedures on April 27.

 

Jolie said that she made the decision because she carries BRCA1, a "faulty" gene that increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

 

"Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65 percent 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," Jolie wrote in an op-ed piece published by The New York Times on May 14.

 

Jolie said she was able to keep the mastectomies private, but wrote about the experience so that other women could also benefit.

 

"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 said.

 

Describing the process, Jolie said the decision was not easy, but was one she did not regret. 

 

"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," wrote Jolie, who has six children with her partner, actor Brad Pitt.

 

"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," said Jolie, who said she was fortunate to have a loving and supportive partner.

 

Citing data from the World Health Organization, Jolie said breast cancer kills some 458,000 people every year. 

 

"It has got to be a priority to ensure that more women can access gene testing and lifesaving preventive treatment, whatever their means and background, wherever they live," said Jolie, who noted the cost of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 ($3,000 in the United States) makes it difficult for many women.

 

"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," she wrote. —Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News