Angelina Jolie Tells The World About Her Double Mastectomy
"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. 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."
Angelina goes on to say that Brad Pitt was there for every minute of the surgeries and also that there will be extensive information about her surgeries and procedures on the website of the hospital so that everyone can see what she went through.
145 comments:
See this right here is why I always say if she is the heroin addict people say she is, then she is the most functional heroin addict ever. God bless her.
I don't wish that on anyone, luckily she has the best resources at her disposal.
I'd like to see Jennifer Aniston try to top THAT! The best she could do is say she's pregnant or that the wedding's back on!
I say good on her for coming forward. She is seen as an action actress and a sexy one at that, heroin addict or not, it's good for people to see someone who is portrayed as strong and sexy having their breasts removed and rebuilt, might make others battling breast cancer or making this decision feel stronger and sexier about it! Would they have done the surgery if she wasn't clean from heroin??
I wondered about her heroin addiction too. If she is on the hard stuff, did she have to detox?
Maybe I'm cynical, but I feel she is manipulating the media again. It's hard to come down hard on a woman who has done this.
I'm astonished at the amount of people on other sites who are shitting on her for this. Whatever your views of her a double mastectomy is no walk in the park. Some are also saying that its fine for her, because she can afford private healthcare.
Sometimes people really disappoint me.
She also writes, "For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options."
Um, most women don't have these options. They are at the mercy of their insurance companies or HMOs, (if they are lucky enough to afford insurance).
I just read the Times article and was amazed at how far they have come my friends mom had to wait one year for reconstructive surgery ...and now they can complete the process in 3 months...that's pretty fantastic.
She makes it pretty clear the ovaries are next...geez
So now Enty and everyone else who's been sh@@ing on her for the last year because if her weight is going to apologize?? Oh wait....never mind.
Wasn't she the top suspect for a blind about an actress who disappeared for a while because she was having a boob job? The timing would fit, but if what she says is true, then this changes everything.
Unless Enty is hinting that he doesn't believe her motives here?
I'm inclined to believe her though, so good on her!
@Pogue. hows what you know, Jennifer had a double mastectomy/hysterectomy while pregnant with triplets and knitting hats for Russian orphans.
She made a personal decision, and is just building a positive platform or awareness because of it. Many women do this, for those who are putting her down, perhaps you've never known a woman with the gene who had to face this decision. It is a life or death decision.
Off topic, I think it's hilarious to think that a celebrity as high profile as AJ can go through this treatment for months, and the media/gossips only get wind of it because she tells them.
Many women make this decision every year. I used to work with someone who did this in her 20's. And many benefit plans will cover reconstruction after a mastecomy.
Good for Angie. I wish her the best during her recovery.
Notice how the paps never found BP or AJ coming and going from a hospital?!
It can be done.
The full op-ed is worth reading. I don't get the hate. I didn't hear anyone shit on Christina Applegate for the same thing.
Libby, Christina Applegate isn't a home-wrecking harlot, so she didn't deserve cancer. Honestly, that's the tone of some of what's out there.
I'm not crazy about Angie, but good luck to her and god bless.
I think I'm at risk for brain cancer
This was a brave (albeit necessary) decision. I applaud her for keeping it under wraps and revealing it in a meaningful way.
No hate for AJ today.
mynerva, I just don't get it. SMH...We are all human. AJ's decision seemed mostly for her children, to hopefully not die early like her own mother did. How can people shit on wanting to be alive to have grandkids?
Yeah, she's rich and it's expensive. But I don't expect an actress to 'fix' this country's health care problems, FFS!
I have a few friends who have had this done. Insurance will cover it if you are at risk. It actually ends up less expensive than being treated for breast cancer. The Braca gene test is about $3600. The cost of a double mastectomy/reconstruction is nowhere near the cost of surgery/chemo/radiation treatments.
I admire her for coming forward and teaching other people about preventative measures.
Just goes to show you when a celeb wants to keep things under wraps it is possible.
If her ovaries are next, I guess she's done having biological children with Brad.
@Cathy: this blind item from september 2012 has been revealed
http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2013/01/blind-items-revealed_165.html
here Jolie wrote the procedure started in february 2013
I hope the best for Jolie and her family
Wow, to those that are cruel about this?!? Judge lest ye be judged?!? Sheesh! we have all been young and dumb...Granted, these are celebrities that we come tp chat about, but still! What is amazing is that many times high profile actors and actresses can simply slip by the paps because they don't have them on speed dial. Unless of course you get drunk and go off on a cop...then uh oh!!
Said better than I ever could Libby!
Gayeld: lol
I have always been Team Jolie, but this just puts her over the top (if she is telling the truth). Talk about courage both for doing it and for telling the world she did.
Total publicity stunt. Bitch.
Oh the great St Ang...I swear she makes a production put of everything...I think she wanted new boobs mainly, & this is the perfect way to not come off as superficial. Yes, I am supa supa bitchy today, because of my ovaries! See? It's a great excuse.
Good for her for coming forward about it. I do hope it helps give others courage.
Henriette, I'm not sure about this but if she gets her ovaries removed, couldn't she first harvest her eggs and use a surrogate?
Again, I don't really know how that works.
If you go to the clinic's website you'll find it's a private speciality facility that offers the best and latest procedures. Also it's clear privacy is something they are very used to dealing with and offer to the women who can afford to use them.
So, I wonder if the blind about the breast enhancement in 2012 is true? I wonder if she knew about her mutant gene then.
I think it's great that she publicly announced what she did and why. Brings much more awareness to this issue. Team AJ!
Oh, and at @Hannahbanna - just take a Midol or smoke a joint and chill out.
"Off topic, I think it's hilarious to think that a celebrity as high profile as AJ can go through this treatment for months, and the media/gossips only get wind of it because she tells them"
That's right. This is what makes me so annoyed when celebrities whine about being hounded by the paps - you can have privacy if you want it.
Someone from the UN came forward to talk about Angelina's recent UN mission in the Congo.Apparently she not only didn't reveal that she was in the midst of these surgeries but when conditions got difficult she was one of the few people who didn't complain. Now I'm not trying to get on the St Angie train but I do think that shows how important her UN stuff is to her beyond the publicity benefit. BTW I'll add that Jen Aniston is very active in Breast Cancer charities maybe they can find some common ground on this issue and make the internets explode.
I'm really impressed with AJ. It takes strength for a woman to say take them off if they may kill me, especially one in an appearance based industry like Hollywood. That said, she and her family had 3 months of hospital visits etc with no paparazzi stories but most reality stars can't open their gates without a photo. That my peeps is the difference between a real celebrity and the trash we have now.
Now maybe she will lay off the smack.
@BaconRanch
I think harvesting her eggs would be crazy! All the hormones it takes to stimulate them would bad if she is already predisposed to ovarian cancer. I still think a lot of the reproductive cancers (Gilda Radner)are caused by all the IVF methods used on women.
AJ has three biological children, so I think she should just stop. Also, it was rumored she used IVF for the twins.
Wow, you insensitive bitch!
If I knew i had the breast cancer gene and I could afford to have the surgeries I would. I think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of pain. If it's a publicity stunt it is, but it does bring this issue into the public eye. I know a lot of people who don't know Angie have an irrational hate for her. And if she is a drug addict, she functions well. She may have her own demons. We all do. Some pay the piper at a higher cost. It's wrong to judge people without walking a mile in their shoes. I have learned that first hand recently. I also lost a lot from my demons as well. I think she has a pretty serious eating disorder, that might be triggered by stress. But that's only my opinion.
LOL!
I never realized how much she looks like her mother.
I have a friend who is still recovering from a double mastectomy a year later. It's still very painful for her. AJ is very strong.
Don't worry, we can agree to disagree. I still heart you. ;)
Ahh, I see Henriette, that makes sense. I agree with you.
Also, maybe pictures weren't being taken because her publicist wasn't calling the papas. Doesn't just about all of Hollywood management do that?
I still think it's pretty cool of her to come forward about this, if for no other reason than she's seen as such a sex symbol.
Angies tranformation from a home wrecking slut to heroine is now complete.
*paps
Ha, with her papas works too, though.
"Long distance call to (insert foreign country here). Yes, it's Angelina Jolie calling. Yes I'll hold"
@lelale, it reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, who continued doing UNICEF missions up until her death, even though she was extremely ill and in a great deal of pain. She always believed her suffering was nothing compared with that of children who needed to be given hope.
This, totally.
To me she looks like Mila Kunis.
Not a fan of hers but I don't wish cancer on ANYONE. Best wishes to her in this. I can't imagine what I'd do in a similar situation.
@Sandybrook
I was thinking the same thing. Ted C always said AJ was the best at working the media.
That s the NYT editorial that makes me go mmm ... She could have gone through a cancer charity to make a statement, it would have gotten the same exposure. Nevertheless, whatever her motives (and she s still a few fries short of a Happy Meal regarding common sanity), good to raise awareness.
Mynerva, want she sleeping with Kevin Arnett?
What an incredibly brave course of action to take. Just another reason why I think she's amazing.
@mynerva and Libby:
And I find it amazing that people will still find fault with her for doing this and speaking about it. It never ceases to amaze me how people will justify their hate.
I didn't know that!
My best friend had breast cancer, with a mastectomy. If you have ever watched someone go through the pain, the emotional turmoil, the fear that these women go through just to SAVE THEIR LIVES, you'd understand. If I were faced with the same situation, I'd do the exact same thing as AJ - for my kids. To know I'd see them grow up? Absolutely. Angelina is not a saint, but she is a human being - and she does love her family, no matter what anyone thinks. Good for her for putting that family first, ahead of anything that Hollywood throws out there or the general public wants to snark about, because at the end of the day it's those six kids who truly matter.
I agree, Rox, thank you.
Sue in MO---Beautifully said.
I have a friend in her late 20s who just found out that she has the BRCA2 gene. (her father died last year from pancreatic cancer and it turns out he was a carrier). She has chosen to get the mastectomy by the age of 32 and will have her ovaries removed later.
This article will inspire her. I hope her kids get tested as well when they are older. It affects males as well.
I am sure her mother's death devastated her. Sorry she had to go through this.
This news will make Aniston's handbag over the womb pictures look even more ridiculous. My goodness, she is in her 40s - enough!
Good for her, but I have read today that her chances to have cancer have dropped from 87% to 5% (not zero or tiny). This means that, if she hits that 5%, this would be the word that the internet has taught me: Owned.
@Sue in MO - very well said.
My aunt died of breast cancer. She was only in her 50's. I'm glad Angelina was able to take this preventative route. It's very brave. Sigh. Cancer. I'm watching the last episodes of The Big C right now and it's very depressing because it depicts it so real.
Wow that is such a huge step. She is very lucky to be in that position to make those kind of choices for herself. However she cant completely eliminate her risk. Cause The same gene that is responsible for breast/ovarian is connected to colon cancer too. I looked into all this when my mother got diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I dont think I would test positive for the gene mutation but if I did then I would have to report it to all insurances, medical, life, etc. And was told they could all have the right to cancel on me. That just sucks and I did not want to risk that since I am so young.
So she chose the avenue of a newspaper instead of a cancer charity to talk about prolonging her life for the sake of her children and this is a bad thing? You've got to be shitting me. I think that writing an op ed piece for the NYT would get the story out there more than a charity would. After watching someone that was close to me struggle with breast cancer and then dying, this article really hit home for me. By the time my sister found out, it had reached stage 4. Imaging what my sister went through to prolong her life for her children was heartbreaking. She developed the cancer from being pregnant with my nephew and while the drs said she could steal breast feed, she was distraught that the body parts that were supposed to nourish her babies were ultimately killing her. No matter if this woman is a homewrecker or not, I admire her for coming forward about this, even if it was a ploy for the media.
@Star - I read that is was illegal for that to happen. Are you sure about that??
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was passed to prevent this from happening...
@penelope jane - your post made me cry - I am so sorry about your sister. That is just awful.
I cant help but like her, even back in the early days. Shes just so darn interesting. Speaking out about this and sharing such a personal story is incredibly brave.
@KLM even with my typos and wrong word usage? Humiliating! But all I said was true. It's humbling and heartbreaking. Now I am caring for her young children and am so obsessed with clean living for myself and the kids that I get the side eye for everything.
@yomismo....DAMN, that was awesome!
Lol
@penelope jane - no worries! I'm sure the topic has you rattled already... That is wonderful that you are caring for her children - I can imagine that it is difficult at times, but also so very cool. No side eye here!!
Yeah I took a 2 hour test a few months ago, the information from the genetic councel from my insurance specifically said this.I dont think I would lose insurance if I had it, I'm just saying future applications for like life insurance and stuff could be denied because of the risk. Fortunately I think I do not have the mutation but just have alot of cancer in family. I'm not getting the test done either way. What if I did have the mutation, according to the information tons of women do have it and still never get cancer. It could just make you paranoid all the time
No wonder the Gods were weeping last night.
penelope jane---I so admire you for raising those kids. Stay strong!
While I do agree with this sentiment, I also have 3 friends (all former co-workers) who had this surgery done for the same reasons. 2 also had their ovaries and/or uterus removed also. In all instances the surgeries WERE covered by insurance. I'm not saying this holds true for everyone, but I don't believe this option is as exclusive as many might think it is.
I do believe insurances have to cover you and I think most provide preventive measures. I was referring to future applications you have to list your risk for it. Until what is it 2014? when insurances cant deny you for preexisting conditions or risks.
i'm 24 and about 3 years ago i decided to get tested for the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes, thankfully my tests came back negative. good on angie for also getting the tests and taking the necessary precautions to reduce cancer. <3
Maybe she could be lying or blowing her story outta proportions like celebs do to garner attention. She went through this and didn't skeet the media??? I remember Sharon Stone's cancer scare was the top story of my local news!!!! No freaking lie!!!
Very well said and mad respect to AJ for making this choice and shedding light (in her own time) on her very personal decision.
Cancer sucks. Angelina Jolie had her breasts removed to reduce her likelihood of getting it. If you ask me, that's gotta be an incredibly scary and difficult decision to make, and she's got a lot of balls to go through it, just like any other woman who's been in those shoes.
Nothing but admiration for her. I think seeing her mother dying and then having kids changed her forever. Best to her and her family
I can't stand her, but kudos for her for having it done privately and then making it public. Hopefully her openness will make it easier for other women who face the decision of losing their breasts. I am glad she was proactive in getting tested for the gene as she had a family history.
btw my mom is getting her final implant surgery in about 2 weeks. Final process has been about 2 1/2 to 3 months. She couldnt be more excited. Oh and her doctor originally told her about 6 months or longer but would depend on the patient and how in good health they are. But I also know her surgeon that did the mastectomy performed the surgery a little different-the doctors here said he preserved more of her breast and skin than most. So her plastic surgeon said that is why her reconstruction will go faster on top of her being in great health.
Insurance may cover it if you test positive for the gene.
I think Angelina will also get her ovaries out from the sound of it.
First Kelly Bundy's boobs, now Angelina's??!!?? Gives me all kinds of sads.
I remember people comparing photos and saying she had a boob job already. Maybe she found out after the boob job that she carried the gene.
Blind Items Revealed
September 15, 2012
What A+ list movie actress was MIA for about a month while her partner was everywhere because our actress had a breast enlargement and lift. She said that she didn't like looking at herself naked any longer and wanted to fix it and is planning to take it off in an upcoming movie. She has said before she was going to wait until she was finished having kids. No more kids?
Angelina Jolie
@penelope jane - I am so sorry about your sister. Try not to give a crap about the side-eye you get. Some people are just assholes.
Im just shocked to hear anyone has insurance. Pretty much everyone I know has so limited they dont get anything beyond check up or lost it around 2010 as their employers removed plans...oh yeah or they're Canadian
I wish people would step away from the cynicism. However the word gets out about this is great. My twin sister and I are both breast cancer survivors. We were very young, mid 30's when diagnosed. We also just had the testing. We do not have the gene. There are other genes out there that, obviously, they have yet to discover. The discovery of the BRACA genes is still relatively new so, again, if AJ wants to tell the world in order to get the word out, then more power to her. I have a friend who is in the mid-stage of this process. She has the gene. Her mother is a breast cancer survivor as well.
If the blind is true, I think she probably found out about the gene during the process. She would have had to have a mammogram prior to the surgery. This probably opened the door for the family history, gene discussion.
Nw I'm thinking that Enty's blinds, at least some of them, are full of shit. No way she got her boobs enlarged just to take them out - and knowing her mother's history I'm pretty sure she would have gotten this test before doing anything like breast enlargement.
I'm pretty impressed that a woman known for sex appeal is making this public - to me it shows she doesn't give a crap about her image and her family is most important. She also continued with her UN obligations in the midst of all this.
@libby and @Ms Cool: thank you! It was devastating to watch her demise while trying to put on a brave front for her children. Further, her OB/GYN refused an MRI or CAT scan because she said it was a backed up milk duct.
Having said all that, again, I applaud Angelina Jolie. Even if she maybe be fabricating some of the details of this, getting it out there for the public and being such a big star/sex symbol takes balls. Men love tits. Men love her tits. She just won a lifelong admirer.
She addresses that and hints at creating fund for it
I'm not AJ's biggest fan, but kudos to her for making it public. My dear friend's grandmother died of breast cancer when she was 32 and her own mother died at 27. In her family the diagnosis was early and still deadly. She is in the process of testing so she can do the same so she can see her 3 kids grow up. Why is there criticism about this? Women are supposed to wait until it's too late to get treatment?
Cancer doesn't care if you have kids or are an addict or met your partner while he was married to someone else or insured or educated or famous.
Why anyone would filter this announcement through a checklist of, "well she is a husband-stealing, methodone-using, fame-whoring, one-percenter" is beyond me. Do you WANT her to get breast cancer? Do you need her to get it so you can feel like there's some karmic retribution? Because you're TEAM ANISTON or you thought her last movie sucked?
She has an overwhelming statistical risk. She doesn't need to pretend she did this to hide a boob job. She doesn't need to share this story to clean up an image. She doesn't need our validation to feel good about her choice.
I'll bet even Jennifer Aniston wishes her the best in this. So what the hell is wrong with the people who just have to put their toxic shit out there?
Oddly enough, when I read the story this morning, I started crying. I don't wish this on anyone, but I love that she was proactive and came out about it. My mom would not do anything more than a surgery to remove the lump - no chemo, no radiation, nothing. It was her choice, but they caught her breast cancer early enough to do something about it. Between her thinking Jesus was going to heal her, and her vanity because she didn't want to lose her beautiful hair, she only lasted 3 years. Hats off to AJ for coming out with this. I think I'm going to cry again...
Maja- like farah's covert pregbancy test buying trip!
@Prima Cornice
I think the problem is most people don't see blind items as "entertainment" but fact.
His blind was a fake -as are much of them IMO. I think it's sad that we (I too have been very guilty of this) are taking rumors and gossip as fact and passing judgement on people that we have no clue about.
The internet has reverted some of us to 15 year olds.
Good for Angie for doing this. I think dying young is a fear of hers.
And to the person who said she should have come out at a charity. If Angie had done that, people would have called her self-serving and taking attention away from real cancer victims. I think she did it the right forum. Thank god it wasn't a People magazine cover.
I have always liked angie. Shes interesting, a beyond wonderful actress, and she doesnt give a shit what anyone thinks of her. I love that! The UN work she does is what i think i wld do if i were in her position. I wish her nothing but good health and long life.
The lesson here for me is, when you see someone very thin, or bloated, or dazed, instead of a so called witty remark, just stop and think: they may be ill. And its none of my business. Just be supportive.
It's frustrating that people immediately jump to point out that this is a perspective she holds due to privilege. I mean, yes of course. She is worth millions, but this option can exist for those who don't have that kind of money as well. Breast cancer runs in my family and getting screened for this gene was a major point for my cousin when deciding whether or not to start a family (our grandmother passed from it, and her mother had it, but beat it).
Using the NYT is just well done in terms of breadth and depth of audience. It's starting a conversation that didn't necessarily exist, and that in terms of awareness of the issues is what's most important here.
The internet has reverted some of us to 15 year olds.
The internet allows people to behave in ways that they normally would not in a face to face relationship. I was told that you have to remember that sarcasm, dry wit, and other emotions cannot be seen in the same way on line as they can in person, so in emails/texts/posting on this board they can be perceived incorrectly.
Excellent post @NomNom.
My partner had this done in 2009 and insurance covered it. She had recurrent cysts and infections. She had the genes. She is a Type-I diabetic so her immune system sucks. Her mom, grandma, and one aunt are all survivors. Another aunt died. The surgery and recovery were extremely painful and she opted for no reconstruction. Instead she has a huge tattoo of a gnarled tree that starts on her hip, goes up her side and then has branches that fan across her scars. On the last branch are two small green leaves that are for me and our son. So I say good on Angelina and best wishes to her and her family. Haters have no idea what they are talking about.
I think this surgery was not as extensive as a mastectomy that removes the nodes under the arms...and she was able to keep her nipple. If you read the editorial they removed the breast tissue but retained the skin and put a filler in to retain the shape and actual reconstructive work was done three months later.
While this was no picnic it was not the barbaric surgery of old.
Yup. She soooo much better than Brad's ex (snark)
Brave of her. She made a hard decision.
As the child of someone who died of bc when she was 34, I had the testing and was fully prepared to have a preventative mastectomy if I carried the gene...and it was one of the scariest moments of my life. Anyone who is knocking her for this should walk in the shoes of someone who's actually been there first before opening their mouths. Ignorant.
Good for her. Mastectomies can be particularly difficult for women psychologically as they feel their femininity is being compromised. I think Angelina Jolie coming forward about her situation could potentially break down those psychological barriers for some women.
I've always liked Angelina. She doesn't give an F what people think.
Actually I believe federal law requires all women to be given the option whether insured or not, and I do know for a fact that law requires all insurers to cover reconstructive surgery in the event of a preventative mastectomy.
+1. I'd love to see how some of these people would deal if they were told they had the gene. When faced with that decision and you've already lost your mother to the illness where you watch them suffer, you want to tell everyone you can so they can avoid pain and loss. So because she's a celeb, it's a publicity stunt? Give me a break.
I'm curious if those that call Angie a home-wrecker honestly think that Brad and Jenn would still be together even if he had never met Angelina?
+1. Sensitive subject for me. If I see one more comment about this being an excuse for a tit job I'm going to scream. When they have to remove your nipples and tattoo fake ones on your chest, I don't call that a tit job. Give me a break.
WHY??? I've never heard of anyone having a double mastectomy because they were at RISK of getting breast cancer. It's AFTER you get cancer. Being at risk does not mean you will ever get breast cancer. You keep having mammograms and then if there are tumors or lumps THEN you do something. I've had a lumpectomy because of benign calcified tumors, but didn't have my breast removed.
This was in jest for all who don't get it. I don't see how anyone could possibly bitch about what she did, so I didn't see how people wouldn't get the obvious joke.
That's an interesting take on the situation, Molls. That's your perogative. I completely understand why Angelina did what she did. It's called being proactive. I wouldn't want to sit around and *hope* the mammogram catches it in time.
And @MadLyb and Phillygrrl - sorry about your moms. That truly sucks...
My 23 year old cousin got breast cancer, had a double mastectomy, insurance covered the reconstruction. Depending on your insurance, it is covered. Mine covers it. I've checked. I'm not sure about elective. I had a, very necessary, hysterectomy (Hallelujah!) which was also covered. Educate yourselves though, because women's health issues are usually way down on the list of priorities of what ins gives a damn about.
As for Ang, I'm sure she'll involve herself in promoting breast cancer awareness somehow. She is strange, but seems to believe in good causes.
Molls, her mother died of breast cancer and she carries the BRACA gene. Basically she is pre-programmed genetically towards breast cancer. She is choosing life with her kids and Brad vs. her breasts. She is a smart woman. When a doctor tells you there is an 87% chance you could be diagnosed with breast cancer you do what you need to do. I believe Stella McCartney has the same plan.
It is scary enough when you are going about your life, and then one day, you hear the words "I am sorry to tell you, you have cancer"
I was lucky, my prognosis has been 95-97% of this never happening again, but those 3-5% chances of it coming back is like the grown up version of the closet monster.
You know its not real, but sometimes you wonder...
In a way, I was lucky. I didn't have the fear of 'what if' or have a parent with cancer. I cannot imagine the fear that would bring, or having to make the hard choice for genetic testing. It really brings a whole nother level of it. And knowing and wondering if you passed this gene down to your children.
I applaud her for doing this, it took so much courage to test for this, and the bottom line, she made the best choice for her.
And her being able to bring more awareness to Cancer, is simply a benefit of one of life's hardest choice.
On Facebook, Enty seems to be throwing shade her way.. which puzzles and saddens me. Maybe "Enty" has been blessed with not having someone they love, touched by cancer.
A coworker of mine went through this same procedure several years back. I thought she was very brave for doing it. Angelina might as well take the preventive steps now, rather than risk getting cancer and having her children watch her struggle with chemo treatments. I wonder if she plans on having her ovaries removed at some point. That i scary to think you have a 50% chance of ovarian cancer.
I just wish Ms. Jolie would talk as openly about her drug addiction and rehabilitation efforts. She's widely addressed her drug use in the past, even utilizing it to boost her career and cachet, but has never discussed any rehabilitation and, given some of the drugs she's admitted to having used, she must have undergone it (assuming, of course, that she isn't still using). I cannot imagine why she has avoided inspiring other addicts and educating the public in the same way she has attempted to do with this announcement unless she believes a faulty gene is likely to garner her sympathy while the cost of bad choices doesn't portray her in a positive light. Unlike a genetic predisposition to cancer, she personally glamorized and encouraged illicit drug use among the young and impressionable and opening up about that could actually help people she's personally wronged instead of simply preaching to the choir with a self-serving op ed in the NYT reaffirming that, if you don't want cancer, you should listen to your doctor.
My husband is actually in the gene therapy field - he is getting his degree in biotechnology, and he actually has done work like this in his labs at school. We just talked about this yesterday.
Bayer owns a patent on the genes that AJ talks about in her article. So because Bayer owns the patent, Bayer owns the test to determine if you have the gene. The test to determine if you carry the gene is NOT covered by MOST insurances here in the good ole' USA, but the surgeries are.
That is what "Obamacare" is trying to do - make it so ALL preventative testing and subsequent surgeries are covered by ALL insurance companies, and they cannot drop you or deny you coverage just because you have cancer, or a gene that may cause cancer, since most insurance companies do that now.
This is actually going in front of the Supreme Court this summer, I think, to determine the validity of a company owning a patent on a gene found in the body naturally. It's going to be interesting to see how they rule on that, and what's going to happen to cancer research if they uphold Bayer's patents.
As someone who has lost both her mother, aunt and grandmother to cancer I have struggled with the idea of getting the test. I think for me it is the fear of knowing one way or the other.
I so respect Angelina for coming forward with this as she may be able to help so many women.
Hugs Lisa huge hugs honey.
Interesting.
Haha Mamaroni, I think you mean Wil Arnett. Who is Kevin Arnett?
If I had the family history & the gene I too would do what Angelina has done. Bravo to her for going public. I am glad she didn't go through a cancer charity. I think a lot of dollars for cancer research gets wasted from duplication of admin costs etc. Also, mammograms don't always detect cancer, they give false positives and negatives and are almost useless for women with dense breasts. Ultrasounds are much more effective and can detect cancers up against the chest wall which can be missed by mammograms.
Why all the posts alluding to Jolie as a heroin addict? Prior use does not make one an addict. And I'm not naive - I've lost friends to heroin overdoses. For many it is a lifelong struggle of addiction, but not for everyone. Some people are able to just walk away. Others successfully go through rehab.
i'm so sorry. I lost my older brother to esophageal cancer when he was 32. the devastation never goes away...
Maybe I am way off base here but I kept wondering if this had anything to do with the sick actress Enty mentioned in a blind earlier this year??
I cant find the item but was wondering whether AJ actually has cancer and had them removed but doesn't want anyone to know? She was at something not long ago and looked terrible so I hope its not so. I realise a preventative mastectomy is enough to account for her appearance as well.
I love AJ and whatever the case admire her strength and grace and wish her all the best!
Thanks for this, Brooke. Great info.
Maja - nice to see you back. Thought I might have lost you - buried by trolls. You're always one of my favorite posters. Sending out an ABP for ChopChop now!
I want to know if all these fertility clinics are going to start testing women for the BRCA1 gene. I can't help but think so many of these fertility treatments acerbate these problems.
I think it's possible someone can do something beneficial to others (come out with this information) but for multiple motivations. It's no secret that AJ is very much into controlling her own image, so much so that she doesn't have an agent, there was a article in the NYT called "Angelina Jolie's Carefully Orchestrated Image", it is very informative. So just like her work at the UN, I don't deny that this does ultimately put good out into the world, but let's not kid ourselves that it also doesn't make people more likely to like her, see her next film, etc. Or conversely less likely to cover unseemly stories about her.
I applaud her for bringing attention to this issue just like she brings attention to the plight of people around the world through her humanitarian efforts, but I'm not blind to the blatant positioning she is conducting at the same time-- Saint Jolie. I don't know if she is a homewrecker or not or a drug addict or not (although I've never met someone who isn't a drug addict and talks so much about their drug of choice in real life, but still) but just because she does these things doesn't mean she isn't above media manipulation. Of all places to announce this, the NYT... the paper of record in the US/world... Wow. Smart as hell. Does not mean she is perfect though or that her motivation is purely to help others.
I have never been a fan of Angelina, but I have an incredible amount of respect for her decision to go public with all of this. She will help many, many people by raising awareness like this.
Smoked a bowl & ate a midol....@audrey, in fact 6 ppl in my family have died in the last 3 yrs from breast cancer. Take it easy, I was joking around. However, I STILL don't like AJ or Brad OR JAniston...can't help it. All awareness to the disease is a good thing. I'm never serious here, I thought that was the idea!
Hold up, my bad, this ^^^^ was for Philly
Henriette, they absolutely do. I had a friend who had a miscarriage in her early 30's. She had a toddler already, but chose to do fertility treatments. At 8 1/2 months she noticed a lump. By the time she was going for the biopsy it turned into 2 lumps, and her breast was removed when both lumps showed to be malignant. She gave birth while recovering in the hospital.
She then found out her mother had breast and ovarian cancer, and carried the BRACA gene. They were estranged but her mother contacted her with the info. Sure enough, she tested positive for the same gene. Her doctor told her the fertility treatments and hormones could have caused the cancer the same time as the pregnancy. It may have lied dormant without fertility treatment. She removed the second breast and her ovaries after this. The hormones cause things to grow, including malignancies.
Same story with my sister-in-law. One kid, miscarriage, fertility treatments, breast cancer and the BRACA gene.
5% is still a hell of a lot better odds than 87%, plus I'm sure she'll still be getting checked out on a regular basis. She may wait a while longer before getting her ovaries out, since surgical menopause at her age would be a bitch, but I'm guessing she'll have that done at some point as well. I'm the daughter of a survivor (only Stage 1, thank God; it's been 7+ years & counting!), never mind my already being at higher risk due to other factors (being childless, many years of uninterrupted cycles), so right now I don't much care what her motives were for the big announcement--it's going to help raise awareness and hopefully save lives, and that's the important part. And hey, if you know something's going to get out anyway, why not announce it what's basically the U.S.'s paper of record? (It sure beats Huffington Post, who let Jenny McCarthy blather about vaccines...overall I like HuffPo, but this just bugs the hell out of me.)
It doesn't matter if Angelina was once a drug addict (ITA, Lila!), a "home wrecker" (really? REALLY?), whatever. Cancer doesn't give a s*. A neighbor of mine died at 43 from lung cancer - never smoked a day in his life. There's a guy at work who takes smoke breaks every 1/2 hour and he's almost 70. Cancer doesn't care, and Angelina isn't pimping for it.
Kudos to you, Angelina, for having the courage to make this public. If it saves even one woman's life, it will have been worth it.
And shame on any of you who are posting such hateful comments about her. What abominable human beings you are! But remember this, when you sow hatred, you eventually reap it, in spades.
Did anyone else think about the blind about the actress who was hiding her cancer when they read about this? Facts are a little off, but...
@lutefleck
I think it should be mandatory for fertility treatments to test for this gene and look at the woman's cancer history. As it is now, the fertility clinics are just doing anything they want without informing the patients (customers)and that is highly unethical. If a woman wants to go ahead and risk it, she should at least know the risks.
I must say I did as well! Before, I was thinking Charlize or Katherine Heigl, but it did ping my memory.
henriette, I absolutely agree with you. In the first case I had asked the woman why she went immediately into fertility treatments when she had a 2 year old and was only 32 at the time. She shrugged, and said her insurance covered it all , so why not?
A $3600 test could have saved her from what she went through. She ended up having a double mastectomy and hysterectomy after going through chemo and radiation for the breast cancer. Had she known in advance that breast and ovarian cancer ran in her family, as in the case with AJ, she could have taken preventative measures.
Instead, she came home from the hospital with an infant, one breast missing, and immediately went into chemotherapy treatments.
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