When Angelina Jolie learned she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, putting her at extremely high risk for breast and ovarian cancer, she chose to undergo a preventive double mastectomy in 2013. The actress, who lost her mother to breast cancer, shared her experience publicly to empower others.
Writing in the New York Times, Jolie detailed her nine weeks of surgeries and reconstruction, acknowledging the difficulty of her choice but emphasizing its life-saving potential. She wanted to remove fear by providing information and encouraging women with genetic risk factors to consult doctors and make decisions based on their personal circumstances.
Her candid disclosure raised public awareness dramatically, boosting genetic counselling and testing uptake. Jolie remains a vocal advocate for women’s health and informed choices.
