Angelina Jolie Reflects on Life Changing Decision for Preventive Surgery

Angelina Jolie reflects on her deeply personal choice to have a preventive double mastectomy and oophorectomy.

“My decision for these [procedures] stemmed from losing both my mother and grandmother at early ages,” the 50-year-old Jolie explained to Hello! in an article published on Tuesday, October 7, referencing her family members' struggles with cancer. “Carrying the BRCA gene, I opted for a double mastectomy approximately ten years ago.”

As per the NIH’s National Cancer Institute, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes play a role in generating proteins crucial for DNA repair. Alterations in these genes are frequently associated with a heightened susceptibility to breast, ovarian, and various other forms of cancer.

“Furthermore, I underwent an oophorectomy, as that was the cause of my mother's passing. These were personal decisions,” Jolie shared with Hello! this Tuesday. “I am not suggesting this path is for everyone, but the ability to choose is vital. I stand by my decision without regret.”

Angelina Jolie Commemorates Her Departed Mother by Advocating for Cancer Early Detection

Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, passed away in 2007 at 56 years old following a fight with both breast and ovarian cancer. Her passing later motivated Jolie to pursue her prophylactic operations.

“Upon realizing this was my reality, I chose to take preemptive measures and reduce the risk as much as possible,” Jolie penned in a 2013 piece for The New York Times. “I opted for a preventive double mastectomy. Throughout that period, I kept this information private and continued my professional life, but I am sharing it now in the hope that other women might gain from my journey.”

She added, “I can assure my children that they need not worry about losing me to breast cancer. It brings comfort that they perceive nothing unsettling. They notice my minor scars, and that is all. Otherwise, I am simply Mommy, just as I've always been.”

Angelina Jolie Over Time: From Cinematic Femme Fatale to Mother of Six

During Tuesday’s discussion, Jolie, who has six children with her former husband Brad Pitt, drew parallels between her own history with cancer and her character in the forthcoming film Couture. Jolie plays Maxine, a filmmaker grappling with a breast cancer diagnosis. While contending with her health crisis and medical choices, she also engages in a flirtation with her coworker (Louis Garrel).

“I believe there is significant discussion to be had on this topic, and it creates a sense of solidarity not only for women but for anyone who has endured hardship or feels exposed and isolated,” Jolie informed Hello! “Women's cancers possess a unique quality, given their clear impact on us and our self-perception as women.”

She continued, “Upon reviewing the screenplay, I anticipated the general direction of the movie — though I definitely didn't foresee its conclusion. I hadn't imagined … that passion would remain a component of the narrative, and I believe it's truly essential to grasp this, to persist in living, to maintain desire and identity as a woman, and for the partners of these women to remember that perhaps that is a role they can play.”