Angie always knew how to make a splash and her announcement that she had the BRCA1 mutation and had a preventative bilateral mastectomy shocked the nation. Some deem her as a hero while others are outright bashing her. Her article is below and my two cents (if anyone cares to know it) follows.
My Medical Choice
By ANGELINA JOLIE
Published: May 14, 2013 1712
MY MOTHER fought cancer for almost a decade and died at 56. She held out long enough to meet the first of her grandchildren and to hold them in her arms. But my other children will never have the chance to know her and experience how loving and gracious she was.
We often speak of “Mommy’s mommy,” and I find myself trying to explain the illness that took her away from us. 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.
My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman.
Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. 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. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. 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.
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.
But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. 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.
My own process began on Feb. 2 with a procedure known as a “nipple delay,” which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area. This causes some pain and a lot of bruising, but it increases the chance of saving the nipple.
Two weeks later I had the major surgery, where the breast tissue is removed and temporary fillers are put in place. The operation can take eight hours. You wake up with drain tubes and expanders in your breasts. It does feel like a scene out of a science-fiction film. But days after surgery you can be back to a normal life.
Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful.
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. 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.
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. And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can. 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.
I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition. 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.
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.
I acknowledge that there are many wonderful holistic doctors working on alternatives to surgery. My own regimen will be posted in due course on the Web site of the Pink Lotus Breast Center. I hope that this will be helpful to other women.
Breast cancer alone kills some 458,000 people each year, according to the World Health Organization, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. 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. The cost of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, at more than $3,000 in the United States, remains an obstacle for many women.
I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options.
Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.
Angelina Jolie is an actress and director.
Runi's two cents: I never really cared for her because she was an adulterous and just overall too complicated and controversial however you couldn't deny her humanitarian work. Anyway, aside from all that I'm focusing on her article. I applaud her. Why?
I applaud her because she's a famous actress and director and most importantly she's known for her amazing body and is a sex symbol. Her story alone educated hundreds and thousands and most likely millions of people about the BRCA mutation. I also don't feel as if her sexiness or hotness scale will decline either. However, there's much more besides the hotness factor. Many women that either have mastectomy because of the mutation or from breast cancer can have challenges accepting their bodies, almost feeling mutilated. Her coming out about this may help women and potentially spouses accept a woman's beauty, even if their breasts are not real. The American culture is so fixated with beauty and looks that it's hard for a women to feel beautiful or whole sometimes, especially if they are bald, breastless and overweight from treatment. (Obviously some women choose not to have reconstruction and hopefully they will find themselves beautiful too. But this article is about reconstruction so that is my angle here.) Applaud number 1.
Right now there is a patent on the BRCA mutation therefore tests are more expensive and may more many not be covered by insurance. We also know that research is limited because only Myraid can do further testing. The case at the supreme court is epic. Jolie mentions that the test may not be affordable for all and that is a problem. Applaud number 2.
She actually carries the BRCA mutation and I feel as if that is a very personal decision (just like having a mastectomy vs a lumpectomy for those that can choose.) Yes, some of those that have BRCA mutation will never get breast or ovarian cancer. I get that BUT when your chances of developing it is over 50% it is like flipping a coin. I think it is hardest when someone has seen a loved one or loved ones go through a diagnoses, treatment and possibly death from cancer. I had breast cancer at a young age. First time around I choose a single mastectomy. Paranoia and then an inconclusive BRCA1 conclusion made it an easy decision for me to have the other side removed. It's my body and it's my decision. Yes, I understand that there are always risks of complications with surgery and that there are future surgeries because of my implants. However, it's MY body and I know how my crazy worry wart brain works. I've also been through chemotherapy and that wasn't fun either. I rather not have to go through that again. It's her body so it's her choice. Applaud number 3.
Finally she just educated people about the BRCA mutation. People can do what they may with that information. I hope they choose to get genetic counseling before getting the test but I've always been big on knowledge is power. Those with high family history of breast and ovarian cancer can start of have conversations about this, possibly save lives. If not awareness is key. Applaud number 4.
Now, I've heard many criticisms. I don't think an average healthy person with no family history should get tested or have preventive surgery. Remember, she actually carries the mutation. One criticism that I heard from a doctor is that her biological children will have that 50% of having it looming over their heads. I told that doctor that she has enough money that she may have done gene selection in vitro. We'll just never know unless Jolie tells us. Some are saying she needs to have oopherectomy sooner than later. Again, I feel this is a personal decision. She's 37 and still young. Ummm...I'm 36 and choosing to keep my ovaries. Menopause comes with other issues too. We know our risks.
So for whatever is it worth, my two cents.
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