[Ammi]

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer.

The 37-year-old mother of six has explained her reasons for having the surgery in the New York Times.

She said her doctors estimated she had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. "I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could," she wrote.

She said the process began in February and was completed by the end of April

14 May 2013 Last updated at 06:51 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page

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Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer.

The 37-year-old mother of six has explained her reasons for having the surgery in the New York Times.

She said her doctors estimated she had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. "I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could," she wrote.

She said the process began in February and was completed by the end of April.

In an article entitled My Medical Choice, Ms Jolie explained that her mother fought cancer for nearly a decade and died at the age of 56.

She said she had sought to reassure her children that the same illness would not take her away from them, "but the truth is I carry a 'faulty' gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer".

She said that once she "knew that this was my reality", she had taken the decision to undergo the nine weeks of complex surgery required for a double mastectomy.

Her chances of developing breast cancer have now dropped from 87% to under 5%, she said.

She praised her partner, Brad Pitt, for his love and support throughout the procedure, and said she was reassured that her children had found nothing in the results "that makes them uncomfortable".

"I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity," she said.

"For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options," Ms Jolie went on to say.

"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."

The award-winning actress and director is also a long-time supporter of humanitarian causes. She is currently a UN special envoy.

During the period she was undergoing the double mastectomy procedure, Ms Jolie visited the Democratic Republic of Congo with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague - and attended the G8 summit of foreign ministers in London - to raise awareness over sexual violence in conflict.

She also helped launch a charity to fund girls' education set up by the Pakistani schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai who was shot by the Taliban last October.

Ms Jolie has three biological children and three adopted children with Brad Pitt

[Cherie]

I know many women have done this previously, but her profile will raise awareness and hopefully help others make such a horrible choice, 87% would be a great persuader if it were me.

[Marc]

Wow. For somebody who's image is their job, this is very wise and extremely brave.

[lostalex]

I've been a fan since Hackers. That woman really is amazing. She's so different.

[Vicky.]

I would really like to know how Angelina Jolie can do this..as my mother had a masectomy a couple of years back, and wanted a double one to stop the cancer coming back on the other side, but the doctors told her they wont remove a healthy breast for any reason. Even when she tried to go private the same was said.

Her McMillan nurse kept on at the doctor, and it is looking a bit like she may get it done now..only if she lies to the doctor and says that its causing her psychological problems..but shes willing to lie if she gets what she wants.

Seems odd that a celeb who doesnt actually have breast cancer can just get this on demand.

That said, good on her..but to say it will make others aware of the choice, or that shes setting a good example or something.. is quite false, because it is extremely hard for a normal person to get this surgery.

[Marc]

She's Angelina Jolie, that's probably why

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I would really like to know how Angelina Jolie can do this..as my mother had a masectomy a couple of years back, and wanted a double one to stop the cancer coming back on the other side, but the doctors told her they wont remove a healthy breast for any reason. Even when she tried to go private the same was said.

Her McMillan nurse kept on at the doctor, and it is looking a bit like she may get it done now..only if she lies to the doctor and says that its causing her psychological problems..but shes willing to lie if she gets what she wants.

Seems odd that a celeb who doesnt actually have breast cancer can just get this on demand.

That said, good on her..but to say it will make others aware of the choice, or that shes setting a good example or something.. is quite false, because it is extremely hard for a normal person to get this surgery.

I'm really surprised by this as I have seen a number of cases in the British Press where women who have a high risk of the disease have had this op. I know this is probably a stupid question but has your Mum sought advice from an alternative doctor as I would have thought this would be her decision ultimately not some old geezer sat behind desk.

[lostalex]

Christina Applegate also had a double mastectomy a few years ago, and she didn't have cancer, just a high genetic risk.

[Cherie]

Just seen some Oncologist interviewed on BBC Breakfast, he makes it sound like its no problem to get this on the NHS. The service has been around since 1996 for women with a history of breast cancer in the family or who are at high risk themselves. How very misleading given Vicky's Mum story.

[arista]

Its her choice
so she wants cancer risk held back.


I can understand that.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I would really like to know how Angelina Jolie can do this..as my mother had a masectomy a couple of years back, and wanted a double one to stop the cancer coming back on the other side, but the doctors told her they wont remove a healthy breast for any reason. Even when she tried to go private the same was said.

Her McMillan nurse kept on at the doctor, and it is looking a bit like she may get it done now..only if she lies to the doctor and says that its causing her psychological problems..but shes willing to lie if she gets what she wants.

Seems odd that a celeb who doesnt actually have breast cancer can just get this on demand.

That said, good on her..but to say it will make others aware of the choice, or that shes setting a good example or something.. is quite false, because it is extremely hard for a normal person to get this surgery.

Yes its because she is a well paid Celeb and also a Political Women

[Kazanne]

Angelina is one of my favourite people ever,she is so brave to come out with this as her image is that of a strong sexy woman,this makes her even moreso and it will raise awareness,I also believe Michelle Heaton had this done,isn't it quite a common operation for women at risk?

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I'm really surprised by this as I have seen a number of cases in the British Press where women who have a high risk of the disease have had this op. I know this is probably a stupid question but has your Mum sought advice from an alternative doctor as I would have thought this would be her decision ultimately not some old geezer sat behind desk.

My mum saw about 5 doctors, all gave her the same 'advice'. It was only very recently that her McMillan nurse sorted it out for her..and told her EXACTLY what to say to get what she wants, which basically involves a lot of lying about her current mental state and such.

When she was booked in for the single masectomy..she was told that she would be able to have the other off but it would be in a separate operation a few months later. When time came for the second op they refused her.

Edit. http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/foru...sultants+lying My mums story a while back. Only a month or so ago has her mcmillan nurse told her the exact things to say to the doctors to get her way.

[Livia]

My Sister-In-Law had a double mastectomy about three years ago at the age of 38. Her mother, two aunts and her grandmother all died from breast cancer and she had her breasts removed as a precautionary measure. Luckily for her she was in the financial position to be able to afford reconstructive surgery. It's a brave move. I hope I'm never in the position to have to consider it.

[lostalex]

I'm adopted, so i have no idea about my family history of disease.

This thread is making me think though, if i knew i had an 80% chance of getting testicular cancer, would i have my balls chopped off? I dunno. If I already had kids, then maybe i would. If i had kids i would want to be around for as long as possible, no doubt. so i guess i would. If i had kids I think i would want to see as much of their lives as possible. I wouldn't want to miss anything.

I do really want kids.

This is a really depressing thread.

[Kizzy]

I'm wondering if there isn't another factor for preventative surgery, could it only be available for women under 40? a friend of mine began treatment at 37.

[Vanessa]

Wow, i had no idea. But i can understand that she wants to be there to see her kids grow up.

[arista]

[Vanessa]

She always looks amazing!

[lostalex]

I'm gay, and yes, she's even attractive to me. She's so gorgeous. Her strong confident soul just shines out of her in every direction. It's impossible not to see it.

There are only 2 women i'd go hetero for, Angelina and Gwyneth. (and Brad Pitt had both of them!!! lucky bastard!)

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

My mum saw about 5 doctors, all gave her the same 'advice'. It was only very recently that her McMillan nurse sorted it out for her..and told her EXACTLY what to say to get what she wants, which basically involves a lot of lying about her current mental state and such.

When she was booked in for the single masectomy..she was told that she would be able to have the other off but it would be in a separate operation a few months later. When time came for the second op they refused her.

Edit. http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/foru...sultants+lying My mums story a while back. Only a month or so ago has her mcmillan nurse told her the exact things to say to the doctors to get her way.

Thank you for sharing that story Vicky, it's made me very cross just reading it. Nobody should be lied to like that.

[Nedusa]

I wonder in Angelina's case how much Breast Tissue was removed and if she could have very high quality reconstructive surgery. It will be of little consolation to her but from a psychological standpoint she may still feel she has kept her "womanliness" (sorry - cant think of a better word)....

[Vanessa]

Yes, her breasts still look great.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

"womanliness" (sorry - cant think of a better word)....

femininity?

[Vanessa]