Cancer Fear Jolie had her ovaries removed

Cancer anxiety: Angelina Jolie had her ovaries removed

03/25/2015

Fearing cancer, American actress Angelina Jolie has surgically removed ovaries and fallopian tubes

Ovaries and fallopian tubes removed
The American actress and director Angelina Jolie has surgically removed her ovaries and fallopian tubes for fear of cancer. The 39-year-old made her decision now in a post of „New York Times“ public. The Hollywood star, who has been married to longtime partner Brad Pitt since last year, had already lost both breasts because of a high individual cancer risk two years ago. The news agency AFP reports that she stated at the time that she had started the mastectomy (mastectomy) because the cancer risk was higher there than in the ovary. In addition, the operation is more complex.

Angelina Jolie's mother died of ovarian cancer
At the time the actress had discovered the breast cancer risk gene BRCA-1 in a genetic test. Angelina Jolie's mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 56, which suggests a greater family risk. The doctors had estimated their breast cancer risk at 87 percent and the probability of developing ovarian cancer at 50 percent. As the Hollywood star now wrote, she has been dealing with the possibility of removing her ovaries for a while. Not only her mother but also her grandmother and an aunt had died of cancer.

Jolie can not have more children
„My doctors have suggested that I should have a preventive surgery at least ten years before the cancer was discovered in my female relatives“, Angelina Jolie explained. „My mother's ovarian cancer was diagnosed when she was 49. I am 39.“ She continues: „I've been through what a thousand other women feel. I told myself that I have to stay calm, I have to be strong and that I have no reason to believe that I do not see my children growing up and meeting my grandchildren.“ And: „I will not be able to have more children and I expect physical changes.“

Public confession triggers „Angelina Jolie-effect“ out
When the actress removed her breasts in 2013, Jolie wrote that she would go public with this private issue so that other women could benefit from her experience. Unfortunately, the high cost of testing to identify the defective BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is a hindrance to many women. In the US, these tests cost over $ 3,000 ($ 2,700). At that time, Jolie stated that she hoped that the women who lived at increased risk of cancer could still do the test. „Life is full of challenges. Those we can stand up to and control can not be scared of us.“ Worldwide, the Hollywood star's move to publicize this intimate theme has been controversial. In several countries, a so-called „Angelina Jolie-effect“ in breast cancer prevention. After the announcement in many nations, the numbers in the breast cancer screenings skyrocketed. (Ad)