Angelina Jolie Reveals She Had Double Mastectomy to Prevent Breast Cancer

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Angelina Jolie is opening up about her personal health today by making the shocking announcement that she recently underwent a double mastectomy procedure aka the removal of both of her breasts in February 2013.

The reason? She did it to reduce her risk of breast cancer after she tested positive for a certain high risk breast cancer gene BRCA1.

In a moving article she wrote for the New York Times, the 38-year-old actress reveals: “Doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.”

She continues, “Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive.”

Proactive indeed as Angelina lost her mother then 56-year-old Marcheline Bertrand in 2007 to ovarian cancer. Angie’s children with husband Brad Pitt never got to meet their grandmother.

Angelina adds that she completed 3 months of medical procedures on April 27. She reveals she will continue to document her experience on the website for the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where she was (and still is being) treated.

Angelina also thanks hubby Brad for his support. “I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive,” she writes. “For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options.”

After having surgery to remove her breast tissue, Angelina then underwent breast reconstruction surgery with the use of implants. “There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful,” she assures her readers.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON ANGELINA’S DECISION TO HAVE A PREVENTATIVE DOUBLE MASTECTOMY?