Angelina Jolie had a preventative double mastectomy back in 2013, and now, she’s revealed she’s had surgery to remove her ovaries.
In the New York Times, the actress published an article titled ‘Angelia Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery’, wherein she explains her brave decision – and what it means for her future.
Angelina lost her mother, aunt and grandmother to cancer, and carries a gene mutation that puts her at an estimated 87% risk of breast cancer and 50% risk of ovarian cancer.
While the double mastectomy reduced the risk of her getting the former, she recently found out her risk of early ovarian cancer had increased.
Writing candidly of her fear, she says: “I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt. I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn’t live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren.”
While her following PET/CT scan came out clear, the actress took the advice of several doctors and decided to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to be on the safe side.
Angelina’s doctors indicated she’d need to have the surgery a decade before reaching the age of the earliest onset of cancer in her relatives. With her mother’s diagnoses happening at 49, the 39-year-old understandably opted to have it right away.
But while the actress felt the surgery was the right decision for her, she’s urged other women to learn about all the options available when making their own decisions.
“I did not do this solely because I carry the BRCA1 gene mutation, and I want other women to hear this. A positive BRCA test does not mean a leap to surgery. I have spoken to many doctors, surgeons and naturopaths. There are other options.
“Some women take birth control pills or rely on alternative medicines combined with frequent checks. There is more than one way to deal with any health issue. The most important thing is to learn about the options and choose what is right for you personally.”
Well said, Angelina. bh wishes you well!
Have you or anyone you know experienced ovarian cancer? What do you think of Angelina’s big decision?
Very true CB. It;s great she did go public.
Yeah I think it’s brave of her to go public about such a personal issue and to inspire others about it.
Karenelle that’s brave of you to share that with us. Thankyou and I hope things go better and better for you from here.
Oh Kass that’s sad to hear. So sorry you lost her when you were so young. Yes it’s a great thing to be able to have the chance to make a decision like Angelina did.
I would do the same thing too.
Yeah anyone going through an operation is brave – especially a big one like that!
You’re a sweetheart, clearcrystalwater. I wish you all the best too. <3