To reduce her breast cancer risk


Angelina Jolie has revealed she bravely underwent a preventative double mastectomy, to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer. Angelina was told she was at an 87% risk of contracting the disease, and since having her breast tissue removed has reduced her risk to 5%.

"I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could," she wrote in a column for the New York Times.

angelina jolie

In the column, she writes about her mother suffering with cancer for ten years.

"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."

Revealing that doctors have told her she's also stands at a 50% risk of ovarian cancer, Angelina goes on to explain that her surgery " 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."

angelina jolie

"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."

Read more about Angelina's brave and inspiring actions in her full article for the New York Times here.