A very powerful editorial by Angelina Jolie in the New York Times regarding her decision to secretly have a double mastectomy to avoid the likelihood she, like her mother and those who carry the gene, would have breast cancer:
My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman.
Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65 percent risk of getting it, on average.
Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex.
On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work.
But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action.
My own process began on Feb. 2 with a procedure known as a “nipple delay,” which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area. This causes some pain and a lot of bruising, but it increases the chance of saving the nipple.
Two weeks later I had the major surgery, where the breast tissue is removed and temporary fillers are put in place. The operation can take eight hours. You wake up with drain tubes and expanders in your breasts. It does feel like a scene out of a science-fiction film. But days after surgery you can be back to a normal life.
Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful.
I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer.
A lot of courage on many levels. Wow. What a decision to have to make.
(via one of you mouth-breathers in the comments. I’d go back and look but I know you are all bitching about the site so I don’t have the stomache to go back because I might really start swearing.) Also too, hat tip to a commenter.
Gex
Tangential, but related enough: Get your junk checked people. Or I will be pissed off at you. Trust me, you won’t skip the doctor when you need treatments to save your life. Why skip the easier stuff?
And yes, as difficult as this procedure sounds, it isn’t nearly as difficult as the stuff we went through.
/rant
cay
Assuming everyone has her health insurance, great!
MattR
@cay: As she says in the op-ed
bnut
My mother died from breast cancer when I was 5. My grandmother in her early 60’s. My aunt is a survivor. I was old enough to remember only fragments, but I recall the tubes running out of my mother’s chest. I recall playing with her rubber bra inserts. My sister (who never knew her as she was 2 at the time of her death) is in her mid-20’s, and she has been considering the voluntary procedure. I don’t know what advice to give her.
Suzanne
I think this is great. I wonder if we can have a cultural discussion about post-surgery sexiness.
Yatsuno
@bnut: Have her get the BRCA test first. It’s only wise to mutilate one’s body only when necessary. Then just love the shit out of her like you already do no matter her choice.
NotMax
Does no one else remember Ann Jillian (or, for that matter, Betty Ford) and the very public good work for awareness and treatment?
TCG
I hope for her children she will not get cancer and that this is enough to prevent i,t but is it OK that I still can’t stand her?
Anyway, I have a friend who is weighing this decision right now. Her mother has had breast cancer, her aunt dies from it and she has had several lumps removed from her breasts since she was 17. She had a son two years ago and now after being a mother I thinks she’s ready. She hasn’t had the genetic test because of the cost, but family history alone is pushing her towards the double mastectomy.
NotMax
Oh, go look.
You know you want to.
Actually, it has been quite restrained.
The prophet Nostradumbass
@NotMax: Oh, he has commented in that thread several times since this one went up.
dp
Very brave of her; wish her the best.
SatanicPanic
Angelina is rad and has always been rad. I don’t get the Angelina hate.
Ruckus
Having had a mother who was a long term, cured survivor and aunt who lived many years only to succumb and a sister who died after 6 years and 2 remissions(and these are the family that I know about because they passed) I’d say any positive directions are good. No matter how much we talk about cancer, many of us will still die from it. But discussing it and having health care are two big steps towards increasing how many can survive. My sister might still be alive if she had been able to find out she had the gene before she was diagnosed with BC. I believe from discussions we had she would have been proactive and that may have saved her life.
TCG
@SatanicPanic: I just don’t like her and never have. Not impressed by anything about her, she’s a terrible actress and she gives me the creeps. I don’t want her to die of cancer, but this doesn’t make her a hero to me. And I’m kind of annoyed that now she gets to use cancer that she never had to get attention for herself. She’s just one of those celebs that I want to retire.
The prophet Nostradumbass
@TCG: Fine, you don’t like her, now go read some other thread.
Seriously, you think this is some sort of “HEY, LOOK AT ME” thing?
trollhattan
Holy moly I cringed reading through that. Good on her for writing the piece and as they say, “If it saves just one life….”
cbear
Kudos to Ms. Jolie.
That had to be a brutally hard decision to make and, contrary to the opinion of some, I think her writing about the decision and the process took courage.
Additionally, regardless of what some may think of her acting or her personality, she has very demonstrably dedicated her time and resources to a number of deserving causes.
My hat’s off to the lady.
Ms.B
Such kismet.
Today I asked my primary care to refer me for genetic testing in honor of my daughters and, I suppose, me. Two sisters with breast cancer, myself included, one grandma. Other cancers in other relatives along the line, too. (Another doctor asked me to do this.)
I hope her reconstructed breasts look as lovely as she thinks they will. I have a bit of an encapsulation in one and a bit of a drop with the other. Fine for me, but I’m a) older and b) not a star.
In any case, I love her for this. The end.
TCG
@The prophet Nostradumbass: You don’t like my comment, you didn’t have to respond. I wasn’t talking to you after all.
Good Lord, I didn’t know celeb worship was a requirement to post at Balloon Juice.
My original comment was in reference to a friend considering a similar surgery. I don’t give a damn about Angelina Jolie, but I do care about my friend so you can bugger off and I will comment where I please.
The prophet Nostradumbass
@TCG: You’re the one who decided that, since you already don’t like her, what she did was some sort of “HEY, LOOK AT ME” publicity-whoring, and thus worthy of, if not contempt, shrugging of the shoulders.
ETA: I said nothing about your friend, or her condition.
Alison
@TCG:
You seem nice.
TCG
@The prophet Nostradumbass: But funny how my friend’s condition isn’t what caught your attention. The fact that I insulted the honor of some actress did.
This is a place where insult and make fun of public figures everyday, but I dare to suggest that an actress might by looking for attention by announcing a private health matter that nobody knew about and I am a terrible person. Excuse me if my cynicism goes to politicians and celebrities alike. Even if I have contempt for her, so what? I mean seriously, what’s it to you? Hell, what would it even be to her?
max
(via one of you mouth-breathers in the comments. I’d go back and look but I know you are all bitching about the site so I don’t have the stomache to go back because I might really start swearing.) Also too, hat tip to a commenter.
Joseph Nobles.
I am not a big fan (or big hater) of Ms. Jolie, but this is certainly the best thing she’s done, and good for her.
max
[‘Glad she could afford it; lots of ladies can’t, I expect.’]
Alison
@TCG: Yes, the fact that you insulted the person who the post is about.
Also – looking for attention? As though she wasn’t getting any attention? She’s one of the most famous celebrities in the world, probably. It’s not like she’s some old has-been who no one recognizes anymore. And as evidenced by reactions like yours, it’s not like making yourself this vulnerable by publicly speaking about a private, scary medical decision is any kind of cakewalk.
And you have every right not to like her, but what does that have to do with anything? Why was it necessary to say so? I mean, if she was in a new movie and someone posted the trailer or whatever, fine, go ahead and say you don’t like her acting or something. But you don’t know her personally, and your opinions about her talent have zero to do with the actual subject matter of her article. You can think she’s a shallow attention whore, but you’re a cold-hearted jerk, so maybe you’re both even.
Tim I
@TCG: Your need to attack someone, regardless of her celebrity, who made such a courageous decision speaks to your smallness as a human being. I hope both your friend and Angelina Jolie live long and healthy lives. I am no fan of celebrity culture, but Ms. Jolie has been a wonderful demonstration of how a ‘star’ can use her celebrity to promote good causes.
I applaud her openness to discuss such a personal decision. I am proud of her for this. I have never been a huge fan of her work, but I think she has shown herself to be a terrific human being.
TCG
@Tim I: Promote good causes? Maybe you didn’t know about global poverty or breast cancer before come celebrity told you, but I did.
Celebs who promote causes are almost always promoting themselves, so give me a break. Sorry, I don’t do fandom and celeb worship. Grow up.
karen
I’m not totally positive but I seem to remember reading something about one of the BRCA genes, either 1 or 2, being found in female Eastern European Jews (or Ashkenazi) and that scared the hell out of me. My maternal grandmother had breast cancer and a lumpectomy. I’m 47 but haven’t had a mammagram and I know I need to. But I don’t want to know if I have that gene or have anyone test it because I’m afraid of what an insurance company would do with it.
Alison
@TCG: OMG get the fuck over yourself. No one is saying she’s the second coming of Lady Jesus, but she’s also not a piece of trash. She’s a human being going through something enormously difficult, and choosing to do so very much in the public eye, in a way that just might give some courage or hope to others in a similar boat. Maybe that doesn’t matter to you, and that’s sad, but what the hell do you get out of continuing to insist that she’s a worthless faker who you couldn’t possibly give half a fuck about? God, get a hobby.
gwangung
@TCG: I don’t think you’re very mature at all.
Envy ill becomes you.
TCG
@Alison: I think most celebrities are shallow attention whores. I don’t think she’s any different. I didn’t say I wanted her to die of cancer. I just tend to look at celebs who put their business in the street sideways.
Two nights ago there was a thread in which people were posting about what actors and actresses they don’t like. Bashing them left and right. Where was this kind of ardent defense of poor Helen Hunt? Please.
TCG
@Alison: You’re the one who is getting emotional because somebody said something you didn’t like about an actress on the internet.
I think you need a hobby, dear.
TCG
@gwangung: I don’t give a fuck what you think.
BTW, I am sure Ms. Jolie wouldn’t give two shits about how I feel about her, so why do you?
You don’t know what becomes me. You don’t know me and I don’t know you. We are strangers on a blog, expressing opinions. But I get it now. Don’t dare suggest that an actress might be an attention seeker on Balloon Juice.
Alison
@TCG: I’m not emotional, I’m contemptuous. I am always contemptuous of people who see fit to deride people in times of turmoil. Yeah, she’s rich and famous. She’s also a person, a mother worried about her children, a woman having to surgically remove what for many women is a pretty fucking important part of themselves. Being rich and famous doesn’t make all of that magically disappear or not hurt. I wouldn’t care who this op-ed was by – Angelina Jolie, Sarah Palin, Kate Middleton, whoever, I’d still think your reaction was gross and totally unnecessary except as a way to vent your whiny contrariness.
And don’t call me dear, you asshole.
Narcissus
I think this is hugely brave for someone who works in Hollywood.
Jennifer Grey basically crippled her career right after it got started by getting a nose-job. I can just imagine the internet-shitstorm of zapruder-esque examination her body will get now.
Ryan C
Grrr! This woman is seeking attention! I’d better complain about it so I can get some attention!
TCG
@Alison: Fuck you. Dear.
Alison
@TCG: Nice life you’re choosing to live. Is it somehow enjoyable being a nasty, hateful person? Maybe I’m just EMOTIONAL or something but personally, I don’t think I’d like going through life that way.
But rock on with your bad, snide self.
To the rest of you, goodnight.
daveNYC
@TCG: Hey, if you think your friend has a shot of getting an op-ed in the NYT covering her decision on whether or not to get a double masectomy, then rock on. In the meantime, it’s publicity for breast cancer and a call out on the fact that it’s expensive and that’s a barrier for some women.
And using a double-masectomy for self-promotion is… unlikely, especially in Hollywood. There’s using a condition to talk about your fame, and then there’s using your fame to talk about a condition.
Joseph Nobles
@max: Thanks, max. I didn’t need credit – all I did was drag a story back to Balloon Juice. Angelina did the hard work.
lojasmo
@TCG:
Dunno. Has Hunt won an Oscan, three Golden Globes, visited several war zones, and adopted four orphans? If not, I don’t see where your comparison stands.
Thanks for playing. Your contribution is valuable.
geg6
Wow, a brave decision for a person whose career is based on her looks. My mom died, horribly, from breast cancer. No genetic tie (no other family history that we could find), but if there had been, I’d have been terrified of getting the testing and then the mastectomies, not to mention how I would have paid for them. Good on her for raising awareness to both prevention and the costs involved.
And guys, you aren’t exempt from breast cancer. My boss had breast cancer a few years ago. He was only in his mid-30s when diagnosed. He’s fine now but know that it’s more common than you might think for men to get it, especially as they age.
Cassidy
Yup. Time for another edition to ye old pie filter. It’s starting to get full, but at least this TCG shitstain can enjoy the good company of other worthless douchebags around here.
chopper
@TCG:
Eh, BJ is fickle. some days when you criticize some famous person you’re an asshole. some days when you have a problem with said criticism you need to ‘relax’. it’s all about the mood of the commentariat.
ruviana
@NotMax: Christina Applegate.
mr.peabody
Too bad this thread got so hateful. The lady was obviously just trying to do some good for other women by relating her experience.
I mean, if a beautiful Hollywood actress is willing to undergo this procedure, possibly harming her career, it may help other women make the decision.
And for anyone criticizing Ms. Jolie for just being a shallow attention whore, I suggest you check out her visit to the Actor’s Studio interview with James Lipton. This is a very impressive and intelligent woman. She is no Lindsey Lohan.
Interrobang
My mother is about a year out from finishing treatment for breast cancer. She only had a single mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ, with a few involved lymph nodes, but she’d known about the lump for months and months and did nothing (she had a history of cysts), and when she was finally diagnosed, I figured she’d left it so long she was going to have metastases everywhere, and we’d be burying her right about now.
Fortunately, the tumour was pretty indolent.
Even in her case, she had to make a decision as to whether to have the full mastectomy or a lumpectomy, and opted for the more protective mastectomy. That’s a hard decision for a lot of women to make. (Thanks, patriarchy, for making women feel like they’re diminished somehow if they don’t have breasts!)
Breast cancer is still a scary thing that a lot of people don’t like to talk about, or think about, so good on Ms. Jolie for putting that out there.
gogol's wife
Shirley Temple was probably the first celebrity to go public about her breast cancer (1972). It was a big deal at the time, and considered very helpful for women’s consciousness about the issue.
Rob
My wife has BRCA2 and also had a double mastectomy 3 years ago. It was a hard decision for her, but she did it and we are both happy about it.
After looking at a bunch of pictures of reconstruction(and visiting a few people) we opted for no reconstruction, and I think that was the right choice. After 3 years I don’t even notice it anymore, although she is still self-conscience.
Our daughter has tested positive, but I am hoping by the time she has to make the decision there will have been advances.
Roger Moore
@TCG:
Yes, you were. When you comment here, you’re talking to the other people on the thread. If you don’t want people reading and responding to your comments, don’t make them.
CaseyL
Does anyone know where we are in terms of genetic redaction?
To some extent, we know which genes indicate a predisposition to develop certain forms of cancer. Would removing those genes remove (or at least reduce) the risk? Has any research been done along those lines?
JCT
@CaseyL: It’s an active area of research in some fields (muscular dystrophy for example) — mostly focused on RNA-level silencing.
Broadly speaking the BRCA proteins are key for DNA repair – thus integral for development, etc. This makes targeting strategies a bit difficult because it is hard to know *when* to target.
Coupled to the ongoing difficulties in delivery of these new approaches to the cell of interest, we’re a ways off.
But never say never and I think that Jolie performed a real public service with her Op-Ed. Like it or not, people pay attention to celebrities in our culture and ignorance is never bliss when it comes to potentially preventable diseases.
Cris (without an H)
man it’s like a freaking pie factory in here
wuzzat
@JCT: That’s pretty much the inherent problem in preventative gene therapy for cancer. Oncogenes aren’t unique to people that get cancer — they’re genes we all have that got fucked up somewhere down the line and stop working right. Permanently silencing those genes using the technology we have now would prevent the genes from causing cancer, but would also have a bunch of undesirable side effects because until the oncogene goes rogue, it’s doing stuff you need it to do.
Most of the preventative vaccine research targets cancer-causing viruses. For now, gene therapy research in cancer is focused on treatment for multiple reasons. To list a few: Once you’ve got an active disease, you’ve also got a specific target for your therapy. Also, the gene targeting performed by a treatment doesn’t need to be permanent, which makes it slightly easier and slightly safer than introducing a permanent change to someone’s genome. And on a depressing, but practical, note: Once you’ve explained the potential risks, stage IV cancer patients are more willing to volunteer to participate in gene therapy studies than healthy people with a genetic predisposition to cancer.
And… that’s probably way more information than anyone wanted. This post is relevant to my interests.
Kib
Angelina Jolie isn’t the brave one, says Olivia Barker of USA Today, bringing the stupid.