Angelina Jolie Cancer Fears – Angelina Jolie’s experience with hereditary cancer risk has been one of the most discussed celebrity health stories of the past decade. Her decisions were not based at the time on a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, but on a strong family history and genetic testing that showed she carried a BRCA1 mutation. That revelation led her to take preventative medical steps to reduce her chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer down the road.
Why Angelina Jolie’s Family History was so important
Jolie has been an outspoken advocate for losing close family members to cancer, including her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who died of ovarian cancer.
Because of that family history, the genetic risk for Jolie was high and ultimately led to testing for inherited mutations associated with breast and ovarian cancer.
For those with a strong family history, doctors may recommend genetic counselling to see if testing is appropriate. It’s about understanding one’s own risk better, not assuming that cancer is a given.
BRCA1 Mutation Affected Her Health Care Decisions
Jolie disclosed in 2013 she had a BRCA1 mutation.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that are involved in repairing damaged DNA. Some inherited mutations significantly increase the lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.
After learning she was at increased risk, Jolie chose a preventative double mastectomy.
The point being made is that the procedure was designed to reduce future risk. It was not treatment for a diagnosed breast cancer case.
Her Preventive Surgery Made World News
Jolie’s decision became a major global health story, as she went public with the details.
Her honesty helped bring the issue of hereditary cancer risk into the mainstream conversation, and prompted many people to ask doctors whether genetic testing might be relevant to their own families.
The story also changed the way many people thot about preventive surgery. Instead of surgery being simply a course of treatment after disease is present, Jolie’s case illustrated how some high-risk patients may opt for medical intervention before cancer develops.
Ovarian cancer risk later became another concern.
Jolie later revealed that she had also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure.
This decision, too, was influenced by her inherited cancer risk and her family history.
Preventive procedures involving the ovaries can lead to important long-term effects such as changes in hormones and early menopause. For this reason such decisions are commonly taken after long discussions with specialists.
BRCA Mutation is Not a Death Sentence for Cancer
One of the biggest myths around hereditary cancer genes is the idea that a mutation will mean that a person will develop cancer.
That’s not true.
A BRCA mutation raises risk, sometimes substantially, but many other factors still determine if cancer will develop.
Some people might be advised to be checked more closely by their doctors. Others could opt for medication or preventive surgery. What’s right for you depends on your age, your family history, your health, and your own personal preference.
Story of Jolie sparks interest in genetic testing
Jolie’s announcement made BRCA testing a household name.
Her story has helped people understand that sometimes cancer can be passed down in families because of inherited gene changes.
Doctors look for patterns, like having several close relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, cancer at younger ages, or more than one related cancer in the same family.
Genetic counselling can help patients understand what testing can and cannot reveal to them.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute – BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations and Inherited Risk of Cancer
- American Cancer Society – Tips for breast and ovarian cancer risk and prevention
- Mayo Clinic – Genetic testing and preventive surgery information
- The New York Times – Angelina Jolie’s first public essays on prophylactic surgery
- World Health Organisation – Public health information on cancer prevention
