Breast cancer prevention Angelina Jolie as a role model

Breast cancer: checkups by „Angelina Jolie-effect“ doubles

09/21/2014

In the past year, the American actress Angelina Jolie has amputated both breasts because of a genetic bias. According to experts, their openness had a tremendous impact on other women. The number of breast cancer screening has more than doubled.

Actress had both breasts amputated
In May 2013 it became known that the American actress Angelina Jolie had had both breasts amputated. Since she had been diagnosed with breast cancer risk BRCA-1 in a genetic test and was at increased familial risk because her mother had died of ovarian cancer at the age of 56, the Hollywood size decided for mastectomy. The then 37-year-old Jolie reported that physicians estimated their breast cancer risk at 87 percent and the probability of developing ovarian cancer at 50 percent.

Public confession leads to „Angelina Jolie-effect“
The shocking confession of the actress has triggered a veritable hype, experts speak of „Angelina Jolie-effect“. So has a study of the British screening organization „Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention“ revealed that the number of women screened for the BRCA-1 gene had increased 144 percent in the two months following Jolie's announcement. „Breast cancer occurred in these women in the family, but they did not get examined until they learned about Angelina Jolie's surgery“, Study Director Lester Barr told the British daily „Mirror“.

Great influence on other people
Professor Gareth Evans of the „Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention“ said, „Angelina Jolie's confession has had a bigger impact on people than other celebrity releases, perhaps because of her glamorous and strong image.“ And the boss of the British „Breast Cancer Campaign“, Delyth Morgan, praised: „Without Angelina Jolie's openness to talk about her BRCA1 mutation and decision to perform mastectomy, [...] many women probably would not have sought medical help and would never have been educated about their personal risk and risk mitigation options.“

Effects also in Germany
In Germany, the confession of the Hollywood actress had apparently stoked the fear of many women. After that, the consultation appointments in many clinics were booked out for months. But the feared wave of hysteria, as predicted by experts as soon as the case became known, did not materialize. Whether after a proof of individual risk genes the patients would actually contract breast cancer, remains open. Therefore, the often expressed criticism of the prophylactic mastectomy is comprehensible. Especially when you consider that the treatment options for a very early diagnosis of breast cancer are quite good. It is assumed here about a 90-percent chance of recovery. (Ad)