New York – “I underwent preventive surgery to have my ovaries and Fallopian tubes removed after a detection of early signs of cancer by my doctors”. This was said by Angelina Jolie whose decision has been embraced by top ovarian doctors who are encouraging women at risk of such cancer to follow suit after testing and identification of potential risk.
Jolie’s ovaries and Fallopian tubes were removed after a discovery of a BRCA1 gene mutation which is said to have been exposing her to ovarian and breast cancer risks. “BRCA1 gene exposes a person who 50 per cent risk of developing ovarian cancer”. Jolie said while confirming that the same disease killed her mother at 56 years.
It is just two years when the actress underwent a preventative double mastectomy which inspired a debate on women’s health and genetic testing. “The latest surgery procedure is less complex than mastectomy and this is where a woman gets into forced menopause. I well understand that I will not be able to have children and I am also expectant of physical changes which I will feel at ease with”. Julie stressed.
The effectiveness of the procedure is not always a 100% according to University of Chicago’s Chief of gynecologic oncology Dr. Diane Yamada but the benefits are tremendous. Yamada said that there was a huge spike at first when Jolie wrote about her desire to have preventive double mastectomy. However researchers credited the piece.
She reached her decision after serious consultations with her doctors and a series of blood tests hence she had all the clarity. However, she says that carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation does not give any certification for “a leap to surgery”.
She deeply feels for those women who have to make a decision like hers in their early years. Never the less, her encouraging message is there are many more options to deal with a healthy issue but you have to seek a wider consultation on them so as to choose the right one for yourself.