Angelina Jolie has revealed that she has undergone a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her risk of getting breast cancer.
The 37-year-old Hollywood actress explained her decision to have the surgery after discovering that she carried the BRCA1 cancer gene in an article for the New York Times today.
She wrote: '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.’
'I had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer'
'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 decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could'
Angelina, who lost her mum, Marcheline Bertrand, to ovarian cancer aged just 57 in 2007, had both breasts removed on February 16th before having the reconstruction operation on April 20th.
The mother-of-six revealed that she made the decision for her children to reassure them that she would not meet the same fate as her mum.
‘My mother fought cancer for almost a decade and died at 56. We often speak of 'Mommy’s mommy', and I find myself trying to explain the illness that took her away from us‘ she said.
Adding: ‘They have asked if the same could happen to me. I have always told them not to worry, but the truth is I carry a ‘faulty’ gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer... They know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can.'
Speaking about the procedure she said: '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,’ she explained before adding:
'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.'
'Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries'
Since the operation her chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87% to under 5%, she said.
The Tomb Raider actress praised her fiancé, Brad Pitt, for his support throughout the procedure.
‘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.’
According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer kills over 458,000 people each year.
Angelina admitted that she hoped her announcement would encourage other women to have their genes checked.
‘I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience… 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 went on to say: '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.... 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 said.
'I do not feel any less of a woman, I feel empowered that I made a strong choice'
Angelina also assured that the procedure has not changed how she feels about her womanliness and added:
'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.'
Angelina isn’t the only celebrity to reveal her decision to have a double mastectomy.
Former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, who underwent the same procedure in November last year after discovering that she carried the BRCA2 gene, exclusively told Closer last December that it was the best thing she has ever done.
Speaking about Angelina’s decision on Daybreak on Tuesday morning, Michelle said:
'I can't even stress how much of an impact that I had talking to women to say that I was going through this, it was such a huge impact. Imagine what impact somebody as huge as Angelina Jolie can have on this.'