My Medical Choice
By ANGELINA
JOLIE
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.
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Entertainment
Nice one dear
ReplyDeleteGod will deliver U.
ReplyDeleteGood decision.
ReplyDeleteoh cmon this is not real
ReplyDeleteThank you Angelina.
ReplyDeleteIf u eat wat dey eat u will excrate wat dey excrate...wen u tell ursef dat u hav no need 4 God like d egyptians u will eat of d infermities of d Egyptians... Jesus is still in d business of saving HIS own. Guess wat, dias still Vacancy in Him.
ReplyDeleteIf you are to get cancer you will get cancer. You can't avoid it no matter what you do and YOU will die one day anyways it's inevitable.
ReplyDeleteHi bradjolie,so your biological daughter(s) should also find out their chances & consider this faithless option when she grows up?how about those who can't afford the procedure(s)?what then should they do?have you considered other parts of your body that can be affected by your "scary" cancer?oh! guess you will take all out & replace L:0L..
ReplyDelete