Angelina Jolie's cancer scare and decision to have a preventive double mastectomy has started a nationwide discussion about the importance of women's health care and cancer prevention. Watch this video to find out what Angelina's genetic mutation means, if you're a candidate for genetic testing, and steps you can take to reduce your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Ben Affleck may have gotten a lot of attention when he took home the best picture Oscar for Argo this year, but he is hardly the first actor who has had behind-the-camera aspirations. Actors and actresses have been finding success in the director's chair for decades, and celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Gosling are carrying on the tradition with their own interests in making films. Click through to see how stars have made — and will make — their directorial debuts.
Yesterday Angelina Jolie shocked the world by announcing she had a double mastectomy, but the major impact of her disclosure still lies ahead. The news is prompting women to talk about and research the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and their own risk of breast or ovarian cancers. And on its newest cover, out Friday, Time magazine dubs the impending cultural and medical implications "The Angelina Effect."
Health professionals expect a wave of women to come in to test their breast and ovarian cancer risk, even though the procedure is pricey and only one-tenth of 1 percent of women share Angelina's BRCA genetic mutation. For those who do decide to remove their breasts, Angelina has, as a sex symbol, helped shift the prospect from a perceived loss of femininity to an expression of it. She addressed her femininity head on in her op-ed: "On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice." And she assured readers that implants can be beautiful, helping to alleviate any shame or embarrassment.
The actress and activist's influence was intentional when she shared her personal decision: "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." Being informed and empowered about your health just got sexy.
Angelia Jolie started a major health discussion when she published an op-ed for The New York Times yesterday about her double mastectomy. We have the latest from her doctor and from her partner, Brad Pitt.
In her moving op-ed today, Angelina Jolie revealed that she had a preventive double mastectomy after learning she was at high risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Other women who might be at risk motivated the actress and activist to speak out about her private health decision. Angelina wrote: "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."
As Angelina's message of prevention and empowerment spreads across the Internet, she's not the only famous woman to generously share her health struggles. Christina Applegate and Wanda Sykes have discussed mastectomies. Others like Beyoncé Knowles and Nicole Kidman sacrificed some privacy to add to the conversation about miscarriages, while women like Gwyneth Paltrow and Brooke Shields have helped increase acceptance of postpartum depression. Whether about mental illness, fertility struggles, or cancer, when recognized and accomplished celebrities open up, it helps raise awareness and understanding about the health issues that impact women. Read through for quotes from some of these brave women now.
Brad Pitt opened up even more about Angelina Jolie's health and cancer preventative surgeries in an interview he conducted with USA Today after his partner revealed her story yesterday. Brad kept his first statement about Angelina's double mastectomy surgeries short and sweet, but in this lengthier conversation, he delved into how their six kids coped and why it was so important to Angelina to share her experience with women around the world. Brad started:
"I'm quite emotional about it, of course. She could have stayed absolutely private about it and I don't think anyone would have been none the wiser with such good results. But it was really important to her to share the story and that others would understand it doesn't have to be a scary thing. In fact, it can be an empowering thing, and something that makes you stronger and us stronger."
Brad also spoke about Angelina's decision to honor her commitment to speak at the G8 summit, travel to Africa, and speak in New York "just weeks after she'd had truly major surgery" and how the family was able to "make an adventure" out of her recovery.
The saga isn't over, and just this morning the news broke that Angelina will move forward on removing her ovaries as well. As his parting words in his interview, Brad spoke about what this has meant to him, saying it's been "an emotional and beautifully inspiring few months. And I'll tell you, it's such a wonderful relief to come through this and not have a spectre hanging over our heads."
The preventative surgeries aren't over for Angelina Jolie. Yesterday, Angie revealed that she underwent a preventative double mastectomy after discovering that she carries the BRCA1 gene, a rare gene that puts her at a high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. However, People magazine now reports that she is also planning on undergoing surgery to remove her ovaries. Angie's doctors estimate that she has a 50 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer, the same disease that took the life of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, back in 2007. Most doctors recommend that patients who want to undergo the preventative surgery do so by age 40 or when a woman is done having children, although it could cause the patient to go into early menopause.
At the moment, Angie and Brad Pitt are focused on spending time with their children. Brad released a statement yesterday, saying that he finds Angie's choice, and similar choices women make, "absolutely heroic." He said, "All I want for is for her to have a long and healthy life, with myself and our children. This is a happy day for our family." Angelina finished her double mastectomy surgeries in April. During that time, she also worked on her philanthropic efforts, including traveling to Africa in March to raise awareness of sexual violence in war zones.
