Angelina Jolie’s Decision
The international community lauded Angelina Jolie’s courageous act following her double mastectomy in 2013. Many people do not understand why the megastar decided so but for cancer patients out there, they can totally comprehend.
What prompted the actress to undertake such operations? It was found out that she carries a mutation in the BRCA1 gene which increases her risks for breast cancer. She did not stop after her double mastectomy. Singaporeans and the whole world were shocked because Angelina recently confessed of undergoing another removal.
She decided to removed her ovaries and fallopian tubes to eliminate her risk of ovarian cancer. The BRCA1 gene also increases the risk for ovarian cancer. In fact, her mother died of ovarian cancer. She did not want to suffer the same fate.
According to some experts, her decision from the mastectomy to the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes are influential. Her revelations increased the public’s awareness about prophylactic surgery and genetic testing.
She is being praised by institutions not only here in Singapore but around the world for her courageous act. Her act will give many women options especially for those who are at risk of breast or ovarian cancer. Angelina also revealed that she had a progesterone IUD implanted in her uterus. The IUD will help in maintaining hormonal balance which can reduce the risk of uterine cancer.
Deciding over double mastectomy or ovaries and fallopian tube removal is a personal decision. With the right information, one can understand the risk involved. More and more women are becoming mindful of their choices.
