Angelina Jolie has shared her perspective on undergoing preventive surgeries, including a double mastectomy and ovary removal, decisions she made based on her family’s medical history. The 50-year-old actress revealed these choices during an October 7 interview with Hello!, describing how her relatives’ battles with cancer influenced her path.
Jolie explained,
I did choose to have that [surgery] because I lost my mother and my grandmother very young,
Angelina Jolie, Actress. She added,
I have the BRCA gene, so I chose to have a double mastectomy a decade ago.
Jolie, Actress.
The Role of BRCA Genes in Cancer Risk
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA. According to the National Cancer Institute, mutations in these genes increase the likelihood of developing breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Jolie’s identification as a carrier of the BRCA gene mutations prompted her to take preventive action.
She further stated,
I’ve also had my ovaries removed, because that’s what took my mother. Those are my choices,
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
I don’t say everybody should do it that way, but it’s important to have the choice. I don’t regret it.
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
Personal Losses that Shaped Her Decisions
Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, passed away in 2007 at age 56 after suffering from breast and ovarian cancer. This tragedy motivated Jolie’s decision to undergo her surgeries to reduce her cancer risk.
In a 2013 article written for The New York Times, Jolie shared,
Once I knew that this was my reality. I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much [as] I could,
Angelina Jolie, Actress. She added,
I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work, but I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience.
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
How These Choices Affect Her Family and Public Message
Jolie expressed reassurance knowing she can tell her children that they do not need to fear losing her to breast cancer. She wrote,
I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer. It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that’s it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was.
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
Connection Between Personal Experience and Acting Career
In the same interview, Jolie discussed how her personal history with cancer relates to her new role as Maxine in the upcoming film “Couture.” Maxine, a filmmaker, is diagnosed with breast cancer and confronts her treatment and vulnerability while maintaining relationships.
Jolie commented,
I think there’s much to say about this, and it is uniting for not just women but for anybody who’s gone through something, or someone who feels vulnerable and alone,
Angelina Jolie, Actress. She continued,
There’s something very particular to women’s cancers, because it obviously affects us, and how we feel as women.
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
About the film’s portrayal of desire despite illness, Jolie observed,
When I read the script, I had an idea of where the film was going to go — and I certainly didn’t think it would end the way this film ends. I didn’t think … that the desire would still be a part of the film, and I think that it’s really important to understand that and to continue to live and be desirous and feel as a woman, and for those who love those women, to remind them that maybe that’s something that you can do.
Angelina Jolie, Actress.
The Importance of Choice and Awareness in Cancer Prevention
Jolie’s experiences highlight the significance of making informed health decisions based on individual risk factors. By publicly discussing her preventive surgeries and the impact of the BRCA gene, she emphasizes the power of knowledge and choice in cancer prevention. Her story encourages others to explore their options and consider screenings and measures suited to their circumstances.
With her ongoing advocacy and openness, Jolie continues to influence public awareness about hereditary cancer risks and the importance of proactive health management.
