Angelina Jolie has dropped another bombshell New York Times op-ed on all of us, just like she did two years ago when she announced that she had undergone a preventative double mastectomy. At that time, she explained that she carried the same faulty BRCA1 gene that likely runs in her family (her mother, grandmother and aunt all died from cancer). Jolie announced her double mastectomy in May 2013, at the tailend of her surgical process, and explained that she had undergone the preventative measure because doctors told her that her breast cancer risk was much higher than her risk for ovarian cancer, and that more preventative surgeries could wait. Well, in this morning’s op-ed, Jolie describes getting a bad blood test back and deciding to go ahead with the surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
You can read Jolie’s new op-ed here. It’s emotional and well-written, and you can tell that she’s making all of her decisions with not only her mother in mind, but her children too. She talks candidly about making the decision to undergo the surgery that will put her through menopause. It sounds like Brad was there for her through every step, yet again:
Then two weeks ago I got a call from my doctor with blood-test results. “Your CA-125 is normal,” he said. I breathed a sigh of relief. That test measures the amount of the protein CA-125 in the blood, and is used to monitor ovarian cancer. I have it every year because of my family history. But that wasn’t all. He went on. “There are a number of inflammatory markers that are elevated, and taken together they could be a sign of early cancer.” I took a pause. “CA-125 has a 50 to 75 percent chance of missing ovarian cancer at early stages,” he said. He wanted me to see the surgeon immediately to check my ovaries.
I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt. I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn’t live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren.
I called my husband in France, who was on a plane within hours. The beautiful thing about such moments in life is that there is so much clarity. You know what you live for and what matters. It is polarizing, and it is peaceful.
That same day I went to see the surgeon, who had treated my mother. I last saw her the day my mother passed away, and she teared up when she saw me: “You look just like her.” I broke down. But we smiled at each other and agreed we were there to deal with any problem, so “let’s get on with it.”
Angelina spends some time repeating this too: “There is more than one way to deal with any health issue. The most important thing is to learn about the options and choose what is right for you personally.” I think she was unfairly slammed for “encouraging” women to undergo mastectomies two years ago when really she was just trying to talk about the personal choices she was making and encouraging a larger conversation about women’s health. She finishes her essay by writing that she had undergone the final part of her surgery and she is now in menopause:
Last week, I had the procedure: a laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. There was a small benign tumor on one ovary, but no signs of cancer in any of the tissues. I have a little clear patch that contains bio-identical estrogen. A progesterone IUD was inserted in my uterus. It will help me maintain a hormonal balance, but more important it will help prevent uterine cancer. I chose to keep my uterus because cancer in that location is not part of my family history.
It is not possible to remove all risk, and the fact is I remain prone to cancer. I will look for natural ways to strengthen my immune system. I feel feminine, and grounded in the choices I am making for myself and my family. I know my children will never have to say, “Mom died of ovarian cancer.”
Regardless of the hormone replacements I’m taking, I am now in menopause. I will not be able to have any more children, and I expect some physical changes. But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life. It is nothing to be feared.
I feel deeply for women for whom this moment comes very early in life, before they have had their children. Their situation is far harder than mine. I inquired and found out that there are options for women to remove their fallopian tubes but keep their ovaries, and so retain the ability to bear children and not go into menopause. I hope they can be aware of that. It is not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue. You can seek advice, learn about the options and make choices that are right for you. Knowledge is power.
I remember reading pieces from women who had undergone mastectomies and how they said it was so powerful that Jolie had said that she still felt feminine and beautiful. I imagine the same thing will happen with this – she’s still the same woman, just in early menopause and with a significantly decreased cancer risk. Jolie is so badass. I love her.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
God bless her. She’s such a strong person and brave! Yes I believe she’s brave for being so open about these issues when she earns her living as an actress.
Angelina Jolie exhibits such amazing clear headed clarity about an extremely emotional issue. Her bravery is to be applauded and her advice to other women to seek out the best possible solution for their situations is loud and clear. It is a personal decision that is chosen for her situation, and advocates only that other women take into account “all of their options” for their own health. Bravo, Angelina Jolie your message is loud and clear…. Wishing her the very best on this very difficult journey she has embarked on. And to all the women going through the same thing just know you will come out of it stronger than ever… Best wishes!
Yes sure. Just make sure your insurance cover it.
Yes sure. Just make sure your insurance cover it.
Love Angelina. She is such an amazing, clear thinking person.
Very brave to bring this and bring it to the public. Wishing her the best health and sending her and the entire Jolie Pitt family warmth , happiness and thoughts of well being.
Just love this woman so much.
Wow, I am paused right now without words. Ovarian cancer is so scary.
God bless her and I am grateful she shared.
I respect her so much as a person for sharing her very personal story of cancer with the rest of the world. God bless her. She writes so clearly, beautifully and without self-pity.
I don’t have cancer in my family, but know many who do and this kind of knowledge is helpful for them in being proactive and minimizing their chances of dying from it.
Not iota of self pity, but just get on with life and deal with whatever it throws at you. Man, she is handling all these with such grace and class. I admire her so much.
I agree. Great piece she’s written.
Beautifully written, indeed. Now, I hope her husband follows her lead and quits smoking whatever in the hell he smokes so they can grow old together. Also I hope she never picks up a cigarette again. She’s been through so much. She deserves the best.
I am one of those women who had to have a complete hysterectomy in my 30’s, before I had a chance to bear children. She’s very fortunate in that she has a large, loving family to support her.
Blue velvet: I love you. While I didn’t have a hyst I did have complete premature ovarian failure at age 32 (AKA extremely early menopause) and while I still look “age appropriate” (hormone replacement) it still cuts like a knife when people ask why I don’t have children. It’s exhausting and I still don’t have a quick and clean answer when they pry. Generally I say “Oh, it didn’t work out”. sometimes I get pissed and calmly say I was in a car accident. Just to shut them up and let them know some things are out of our hands and not all wine and roses. I went though a very deep dark depression. As for adoption: I’d love to but never found a partner who wanted to do that. Now I’m 51 and a curiosity, I decided that “The Devil took my FirstBorn and he owes me a face” (Ha!) so I got some very subtle plastic surgery refinements and it was a very therapeutic way of taking back control of my body changing without my consent. I look like a fresh early 40 something. I’m not saying do what I did, but when all my friends were building families and I was rapidly turning grey and saggy despite all my healthy habits I took back control (for me) and it was very therapeutic. It’s still a process, but I feel less “a victim” which I think is what empowerment is about. Choices and deciding what/who you want to be going forward.
MariPoodle – i feel for you. Many women in my family have suffered from premature ovarian failure (and miscarriages… and polycystic ovarian syndrome…) all because we carry the Fragile X mutation. I am going through early menopause myself, but have been fortunate to bear my dear son who has the full Fragile X mutation.
PSA – Women! if you find you have fertility issues, hormonal imbalances, or show signs of early menopause, please research and speak to your ob/gyn about FXPOI – Fragile X-associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Many ob/gyn’s have not heard of this syndrome.
Thank you, Maripoodle. I still feel like a bit of an oddity, as almost everyone has a child. I spent years avoiding looking at any media that showed a developing fetus.
I think it is hard for others who haven’t gone through something like this. I dealt with my loss by becoming an exercise fanatic. It helps with depression, as well. Life is a journey, and we all have our paths in life and our burdens to bear. I love that you gave yourself a “tune-up”, I would do the same if I could afford it 🙂 Love, you sister! Thanks for sharing. You’re amazing.
It’s nice she wants to help people by going public and spreading encouragement, but shit the media is overdoing it with their response. So she’s a saint for going through something hundreds of thousands of women go through all over the world, and nobody blinks an eye?
She’s just looking out for herself, I mean nothing wrong with that, but it doesn’t make her a saint. And as she says it herself, she already has 6 children, no need to cry here.
Also she’s spectacularly rich, cry for the women who need all of these super expensive medical procedures but cannot afford them.
Who is saying she’s a saint for doing this? I haven’t read any article with that claim.
I never does take long for someone like you.
@A.Key…Respectfully disagree…I think she is simply owing her personal story rather than leave it to the tabloids to create unnecessary exploitive and totally fabricated headlines about what is her private business. Her celebrity makes it impossible for this info to remain private. She is simply trying to keep some semblance of power. I also do not think you understand the horrors of cancer, especially to a young mother with children. Believe me all the money in the world does not compensate .
Great post, Greata. I’m not even a Brangeloonie and I think she’s handling this with practicality, courage and her eyes wide open. I wish her well.
Exactly.
Agree Greata. I just watched a mom of 4 kids under 15 lose her battle with breast cancer 2 days ago. Leaving her family and not being there for her husband / kids was her greatest heartache. I hope Angie never has to go through that kind of pain — it was way worse than the physical pain she endured.
I agree. I would much rather hear her perspective on it than see the headlines about her dying of cancer splashed everywhere (truth being irrelevant to so many mags). She gets no shade from me. And I think this puts a very humanizing spin on this. If American royalty, as she is seen, can have a health crisis, anyone can, and they’re not alone. Being sick can be very isolating.
It’s baffling that haters always call Angelina a saint or God. I’ve never seen her fans o r articles claim she was. I don’t know why people attacked her for having the double mastectomy. She never claimed hers was the best or only choice. She made that clear in both op-eds but of course people are attacking her for the second surgery.
Agreed, I do not get it. I never will. None of her fans have ever, ever even so much as hinted at that they thought she was a saint, in fact I know of fans of other people who act like their idol can never do anything wrong and is so perfect in every way. Never have any AJ fans ever acted like that, they’ve always said she is not perfect and embraced her for her flaws.
Calm down A Key, no one is saying she is a saint. It’s obvious you are not a fan. However, Angelina is known and love around the world by her fans and she is a big deal whether you like her or not. I would give you some advice, don’t click on her thread today nd save yourself from reading positive comments from her fans.
Angelina your fans love you and wish you all the best, you will be just fine.
BNA FN .I agree with you.You knew she was going to do this.I love her for her strength and courage.You will be great and get well soon.
BNA,
One would hope that her non-fans would be feeling the same way. But this is Celebitchy. A place where women can safely tear another woman to shreds, over idiotic stuff (her philanthropy, the man she married, her looks, her kids, her cancer scares). Giving Angie a mental hug and celebrating her courage.
Now to gird my loins for all the bashing Sophie Hunter is probably getting, because she’s evil….now that she’s married Benedict. >le sigh<
what sort of person would say stuff like this . yes she is successful so what – she happens to be a person with a husband and with a family who has lost 3 relatives over the years so what is wrong with her sharing her story. pple went to get tested 2 years ago because it was an important and public issue and i dare say nothing wrong with her bringing attention to this issue – u dont like her fine dont read the article. ! at least try and be a bit sympathetic if possible. less snark wd be appreciated
Sorry i did read your comment the wrong way.
A. Key – I had to have a complete hysterectomy/oophorectomy in my early forties after years of going through cancer scares/surgeries for tumours on my ovaries and fallopian tubes, followed by deep rooted fibroids in my uterus. It is a very nerve-wracking yet courageous thing to go through as our reproductive organs and breasts represent, in many ways, what makes women different and unique. She has gone public with a very private battle in order to let women know that there is life after these kinds of surgeries and that as a preventative measure, she is guaranteeing that she will be around to welcome her grandchildren into the world.
Congratulations on your recovery, Jaded. 🙂
Yes, congratulations on your recovery.
And clearly, your marvelous sense of humor was not affected one tiny bit by your health challenges. You are truly a Celebitchy gem!
🙂
I had surgery exactly two weeks ago to remove one of my fallopian tubes, so I do appreciate her op ed about her experience.
Jaded,
Reading posts like yours is what brings me to Celebitchy daily to check in and see well written and insightful thoughts like posters such as yourself bring to the boards. Thank you for your candid and honest thoughts. I appreciate and enjoy reading your comments.
I’m 35 and I needed to have it done. I had surgery on May 2nd, and reading this has made me feel so much better. It wasn’t something planned, ovarian cancer runs in my family, and I had a tumor. I still have my right ovary, but that may be taken out as well. I applaud her for going public. After the surgery your hormones go insane, and you don’t feel the same way, mentally and physically. It’s nice to know of you aren’t alone.
congratulations on your recovery Jaded.
It’s nice to hear you’re ok, Jaded, and I applaud your recovery and honesty.
But I do take issue with this: “as our reproductive organs and breasts represent, in many ways, what makes women different and unique”.
Why? I totally disagree with this, I truly do.
It’s probably why this whole story bugs me so much.
To put it bluntly, I’d rather remove an organ that I can live without, with no big problems, than get cancer on something more vital and problematic, like liver or lung.
And I honestly do not believe I am defined as a person by my breasts or ovaries, that’s crazy to me. My reproductive organs do not make me unique at all.
Those choosing to share so many personal, heartwarming and heartbreaking stories below prove that Jolie has done something worthwhile and beautiful by sharing her own experience. It speaks to awareness, education, compassion and healing.
+1000!
I love this site and how you ladies women are willing to share your stories. I recall a Hiddles post last year in which lots of familiar posters were recounting their cancer experiences. Heartbreaking and yet humanized those who only know via the words they put on my screen.
Congrats to all of you who have looked cancer in it’s ugly eyes, endured your treatments and surgeries bravely and have lived to fight another day.
Amen. Well said.
Wow, one slightly critical (of the media) comment, and a dozen posters jump all over her.
I’m not a fan, but I think this is well-written, and I admire her courage in sharing her story.
The smoking pictures from last year still bug me, especially with her admission that she’s ‘prone to cancer’. Cue the brangeloonies yelling that she was “only holding it for a friend”.
How about “cue,” the still bitter psycho haters still vengeful over ‘Brad Pitt,’ a decade later – using one pap pic of an obviously agitated email hacked Angelina during her film promo taking a drag. I find it odd, these same black hearted middle aged meangirls were all to eager to paint those snaps as the OMG..WHATS WRONG with the BRANGELINA RELATIONSHIP – SEE THEM CAUGHT ON TAPE in the ‘fight to end all fights,’ and oh what a terrible argument!!!!…yet when it suits whatever b.s. they want to spread today…they’ll flip a switch and turn the same scenario into an every day occurrence of Angie just shooting the shite and smoking…ya know..like she ALWAYS does (eyeroll).
Nevermind they have one cig in 20 years as PROOF.
cue THAT ish.
No one believes anything you have to say. You’re too green, too frothy, and too ragey. If you could pin the JFK assassination on Jolie you’d do it.
How do you know she wasn’t smoking a joint and not a cig. Not a brangeloonies as I don’t care for pitt and I think she settled for the first man that told her he wanted a million kids too. I guess I’m an angeloonie. Hehe
“You’re too green, too frothy, and too ragey. If you could pin the JFK assassination on Jolie you’d do it. ”
Wow. Just….wow.
I agree with you. I certainly don’t want her to get cancer but her experience is a far cry from the average woman’s. She has access to the best possible medical care and doctors and the money to pay for it. Her husband doesn’t have a job he has to go to in order to take care of his family. She will recuperate in luxury. Lucky her. But I don’t need an op ed piece in the NYT from an actress who thinks she needs to educate other women.
@meme. So glad you brought that up, because she actually speaks to that in the piece. Funny how people love to judge based from a completely uneducated viewpoint. You didn’t even read the article, but feel some sort of way about it.
I appreciate that she speaks to the fact that she had these options because she is priveledged and that should not be the case. I mean how can people find fault in this? Sad.
she didnt need to say anything about her very private illness – but she did and if it brings attention to the idea of testing etc that is good enough reason for me – yes she is rich and successful etc but it doesnt mean that she doesnt have the same health concerns that she outlined in her op piece in 2012 and now again this year.frankly u can dislike aj but the entire tone of your remarks was too snarky for words and very uncalled for. she is a married woman with 6 kids and is only 39 years old surely a little bit of kindness and sympathy wd have been nice or is it because it is angelina jolie that the well of human kindness is not allowed? I understand that pple can say what they like abt celebs but this is definitely beyond the pale to attack her simply by being a very successful woman in her chosen field which is acting. not right to make barbs like this imo.
OR she’s using her celebrity to shine light on a subject that should be discussed. Yes, she’s privileged enough to be able to pay for these procedures. And maybe, just maybe, one of the world’s most famous movie stars speaking openly and frankly about it will force insurance companies to pay for ‘normal’ women to be screened for the cancer gene as well.
What did I state that isn’t true? There are three women in my family with the same gene so I am aware of how difficult it can be.
Your post reeks of envy and resentment. Why do people only think of her as an actress, and not as a humanitarian, or even as a human being? Its like, ‘she’s a rich actress so we don’t need to learn from her’. This whole ‘actress’ thing really needs to stop. Her job does not define her, she is a human being who just happens to be an actress to earn a living. That is all. It does not make her less worthy of being listened to, just because she is rich and famous. Why do people seem to have such a prejudice against actors speaking out? Is it just envy and resentment, or something else?
I can respect Angelina coming forward and sharing so young woman know they have options, tests, & are not alone. I fought ovarian cancer twice when I was young & I was unfortunately sterile. I was 26 when I had the complete hysterectomy. CAN EASILY accept the kind of understanding Angelina writes about after enduring my ex-brother-in-laws pregnant girl friend’s craziness the day I came home from the hospital & in pain. This woman was 8 months pregnant WITH her 6th child (her ex had custody of her eldest 4), walked into the kitchen & to tell me.. “I so understand what your going thru. When I have this kid, I’m having them tie my tubes before I even leave the hospital. So, I’m trying to enjoy this time cause it’s my last & I’ll never get to carry another baby or feel it kick”. I was in complete shock at what she had the nerve to say. It took a few minutes for the wth moment to kick in & then me politely tell her she had no flipping clue. (She also could be witchy putting down others in a syrupy way, while trying to score points w/ M-I-L. Think that day was a combo of witchy & clueless.,
I fought OVC again 3 yrs later. They had left a minuscule piece of ovary by accident.. That’s all it took. So if preventive measure can be taken.. I’m all for it if & support any woman making that heavy decision of preventive measure.
I can see Angelina’s coming from a place of educating (hoping to show those that may be facing this in the future or just finding out they have OVC) & to remind women to please educate themselves. To look at all avenues available to them before making the best decision for themselves. I’d much rather have someone well meaning & informed as Angelina is in her op/Ed put it out there for my nieces & such than someone w/ no clue making idiotic comparisons & possibly giving bad advice, as my ex B-I-L’s ex girlfriend had done. But, just my opinion.
Right, I’m glad she is sharing her story. I had one of my tubes removed recently, but my ovaries are still in place. It would take a lot of help, probably IVF, for me to get pregnant again. I think some issues people find “too embarrassing” or “too personal” like ovarian, uterine, and prostate cancer, and don’t want to talk about them. I’m glad a dialogue has been started by Angelina.
Also, I’m glad to hear that you beat cancer and I’m sorry about your brother’s ex’s callous words. I’ve heard some stuff, too, that makes me want to slap people who have no idea what any of this is like.
I think she was speaking her truth. There is no doubt that there is inconsistent care, based on socioeconomic status, but AJ sharing her own very personal and (somewhat) taboo story doesn’t add to any injustice. It takes the topic out of whispers and shame and shines a light on it.
Yeah, definitely. Some of these cancers are deemed personal or shameful for some reason (ovarian, uterine, prostate). Also, was she not supposed to get the surgery because other people can’t afford it? It’s not like some exotic treatment. My neighbor got a preventative hysterectomy a few years back because of a family history, and she is not a mega rich movie star.
I hate to ask this but are you female? Do you know that once someone gets ovarian cancer its pretty much certain to take their life unlike other cancers? It is a frightening spectre that hangs over women’s heads and her sharing that you can get pretested, that you can take action is something many people don’t know.
She’s not a saint for pointing that out, just a very good person willing to share something that is difficult, scary and humiliating for ANY woman.
Here is someone whose entire 20’s was focused on beauty, wildness, and raw sexuality. To tell the world that you’re in menopause and without organs and still FIERCE is something all of us need to hear so…check yourself.
@Green Eyes…CB…Kiddo et al….YES! YES! YES SISTERS YES!
Hear, Hear!
“I hate to ask this but are you female? Do you know that once someone gets ovarian cancer its pretty much certain to take their life unlike other cancers? ”
Unlike what exactly? Brain cancer, esophagus cancer, gastric cancer, bone marrow cancer, lung cancer? And as if cancer impacts women only?
Do you think you can actually operate the majority types of cancer and expect to live a more or less normal and long life? You’re lucky if you can operate at all. I don’t ever want to see anyone go through gastric cancer or brain cancer again. No amount of removing anything helped in the end.
I’m glad Jolie saved herself from cancer, but hey, she’s lucky she had that option. I mean she didn’t even get cancer, why are people acting as if she did? She prevented it. Good for her doctors who are doing terrific work.
And now she is in menopause. So what, why is that a sad thing? As if every woman doesn’t go through menopause? Why is that something negative and shocking? You think it’s brave to tell the world you are in menopause? Really??
What next, it’s brave to tell the world you are having your period? Or brave to tell the world you removed a mole for fear of cancer? Well sorry if I’m not that impressed.
I’m not impressed we’re victimizing Jolie instead of saying good for her, now lets move on since there’s actually nothing wrong with her. She is still a beautiful healthy woman, what is the issue here? So what if she’s not having more kids, why does that even matter? It’s super sad women are defined by their ability to have kids in the first place.
I cannot believe that people are equating femininity to how many organs you have! I haven’t had any internal female organs for over 15 years and I am just as much a woman as ever. That’s after mastectomies and reconstruction for breast cancer at a younger age than Angie is now (and I don’t have the gene).
Can you look at someone and tell if she has ovaries or a uterus? No, you can’t.
This was not major surgery. No one would have known if she had laparoscopic surgery. It’s not visible.
My problem with her situation is that all the emphasis is on the genetic factor. I had no family history and was too young to have had a routine mammogram. If I hadn’t gotten myself checked, I could have gone years before it was discovered instead of catching it at stage 2.
Please know that anyone can get cancer – you do not have to have family history or the gene mutation. It does not make you safe.
A.Key (et al), who wrote: “But I do take issue with this: “as our reproductive organs and breasts represent, in many ways, what makes women different and unique”. Why? I totally disagree with this, I truly do. It’s probably why this whole story bugs me so much. To put it bluntly, I’d rather remove an organ that I can live without, with no big problems, than get cancer on something more vital and problematic, like liver or lung. And I honestly do not believe I am defined as a person by my breasts or ovaries, that’s crazy to me. My reproductive organs do not make me unique at all.”
To say a woman is unique and identified by breasts and reproductive organs as feminine is not sexist, derogatory, or a sin. Women ‘are’ unique and special because we can give birth and nurse children, something men can’t do. It’s not the only thing that defines us as people, but it is the major difference between us and men. It is tragic when any woman is forced to undergo menopause outside of the normal, natural, and perfect time to do so because it is a pain in the ass (I turned 60 in March). It is tragic for any woman who wants children (not saying that all woman ‘should’ or ‘do’ want children) to lose the ability to have children through an accident or disease.
You started your discussion of Angelina Jolie’s surgery (in your first post) by asking why the media was making her “a saint for going through something hundreds of thousands of women go through all over the world” when the media is simply reporting her news in her words. No media outlet has said Angelina Jolie is–or has treated her as–a Saint at all. Only people who have a personal issue with Angelina Jolie call her a ‘Saint.’
And I also question whether or not you are female.
When someone I love smokes, it pizzes me off because I lost someone I love after a long and awful battle with lung cancer. So, on that note, I hope she quits and it’s a valid point considering she’s carving herself up in an attempt to avoid such a fate.
As for saint-hood – It’s not the fact that she’s doing all she’s doing that makes her righteous. It’s the approach and willingness, in her high profile position, to level with the public and allow them to see the journey that is usually so private and emotionally wrenching.
She is a sex symbol. And she is removing the main parts of her that Americans seem to obsess over sexually. She is making the argument, through the way she lives, that these parts of her are not her whole feminine self and she’s willingly displaying this for others to witness and hopefully learn from.
She is stating that she still feels gorgeous and sexy regardless of the toll that her pre-preemptive strikes against cancer may be taking on her physical self and her obvious hope is that her statements empower women to prioritize their health over what she’s showing us is a flimsy shell for vanity’s sake.
I agree with you A.Key.
Love her so much, and I wish her and her family the best in health, happiness, etc.
Thank you, this is all there is to say. Bless.
I saw her interview on The Today Show. Good for her. Even though it was said that she would have this done I think what she and her doctor saw in her test results helped her make up her mind to speed up the decision to have the surgery. Wishing you the best Angie as well as all other women that are going through this.
Sending prayers to every woman (and men) who are struggling with cancer and it’s aftermath.
+10000, me too.
I love her style of writing and wish her every happiness.
She’s pitched it perfectly again, hasn’t she? Hats off to Jolie.
I had an early menopause (chemo-induced) and I can happily say that it comes with its problems but nothing is insurmountable. I would say that I still feel feminine and beautiful but um… feeling feminine and beautiful was never high on my agenda before cancer got in the way. But I do feel like exactly the same Sixer I always felt like.
Sixer…..may add that you are perfectly perfect just the way you are! 🙂
Eye fank yew!
I will add – it’s not as though I don’t have self esteem or self esteem issues – they just have never been related to my appearance, about which I have never been able to summon much in the way of interest.
The excellent thing about chemo-induced menopause is that you are ALIVE to moan about the hot flushes and associated pains in the neck!
Here, here!
Glad you’ve made it through, Sixer. Keep kicking and yes, she did pitch it perfectly. Taking as much control as possible of one’s choices when faced with cancer and owning those choices with all their benefits and risks is a huge part of the battle and living life fully.
Glad back at you, missy.
Hugs and Comet Sophies all around. The world needs our snark.
Thanks for sharing Sixer! I went through a number of cancer scares/surgeries before having the whole kit and caboodle taken out at 42 and never related it to being any less of a woman or let it stand in the way of a healthy “romantic” life. We need more women like Jolie to go public instead of hiding these issues in shame.
Exactly. We do. And there should never be any bloody shame.
You get extra brownie points for saying kit and caboodle. I love that phrase!
Exactly Jaded! I’m Braca 1 and had the same surgeries. We need to bring it to light so it is no longer stigmatized.
Sixer! You are certainly one of my most adored people on Celebitchy…I’m so glad that you surmounted your health challenges.
*hug*
Awww. Eye fank yew, also!
Did Mr. SIxer ever get you the ball gag, speaking of femininity and romance? 🙂
I went through early menopause too, but not chemo induced. LIke everything else in my life, my reproduction system blew hot and burnt out fast. It wasn’t particularly fun, but you know, life goes on.
Oh, Mr Sixer’s romantic overtures know no bounds. He bought me a new front door bell just this week.
(No ball gag, more’s the pity!)
Hi Bluhare –
I apologize for hijacking your comment, but this information lies near and dear to my heart.
I hope you know the reason for your early menopause. However, many ob/gyn’s are not aware of a mutation on the X chromosome that can cause early menopause. Look up Fragile X-associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (FXPOI). This mutation does not only cause early menopause, but can also cause Parkinson’s like symptoms, and even be the cause of inherited autism and learning disabilities.
I’m a carrier and see many of the women in my family suffer from FXPOI, including myself. In fact, I have a special son with the full Fragile X mutation. Getting the word out about these syndromes has become part of my life’s mission.
SIxer, you are a gift.
Sixer / Lilac, the world DOES need your snark. Even when leveled at the men I adore (you know of whom I speak, Sixer).
We just watched a dear friend lose her 3 yr battle with breast cancer on Sunday, leaving behind a grieving husband and 4 kids between 5 – 14 years. She wasn’t afraid of death, but her heart was ever with her family and wanting to be there with / for them. I applaud Angie for taking proactive measures to ensure she’s around for her family as long as she is able. Femininity isn’t defined by boobs and overies, but in the inner strength, compassion and wisdom that we have in complementing and caring for those around us.
Sixer……well said. My menopause at age 30 was also chemo induced due to Stage 4 breast ca., and a grim diagnosis yet this is year 25 since the diagnosis, and here I am. Alive and kicking. Hot flashes and other menopause symptoms were nothing compared to being told that I was not going to live to see my baby grow up. That ‘baby’ is in her mid-20’s now. Life is good.
celtlady, you made me smile. Congrats on 25 years above ground and enjoying your baby.
Wow, Celtlady. Congratulations! That’s made me smile, too.
Congratulations, Celtlady!
As a nurse I’ve seen how devastating ovarian can be for women & their families. Women with star power like Angelina have a lot of media celebrity power & a big audience. She can influence policy & encourage women to seek out what is best for them. So glad she is openly sharing her journey in a very classy & but public way, because it could actually save some lives. @sixer @celtlady thank you so much for sharing your story. All women sharing their stories of cancer, treatment & survival help future cancer patients. You ladies are warriors !
Go Sixer!!
You’re a champion!!
Damn. As always, I’m amazed by her ability to keep this stuff out of the tabloids. Good for her.
I’ll definitely have to go read the full piece. What a brave woman to do all of this publicly and endure the backlash in order to help some women out their feel okay with their choice. Hopefully Melissa Elridge keeps her mouth shut this time.
Its stories like this that will forever make me an Angelina stan – the only entertainer I stan for actually. Not that she’s perfect (obviously) and doesnt have an “image” but she is so darn inspiring.
I forgot all about Melissa Ethridge. Hopefully she will keep her lips zipped this time, because I felt her comments last time to be in bad taste. Every person is different and deals with things, especially their health, in a different way.
Speaking as someone whose about to have an IUD inserted for medical reasons like Angelina, this op-ed piece is so welcome. I can now ask my doctors about the blood test she got to detect cancer. My insurance will not pay for the BRCA testing, because I don’t “know my family history” (I’m adopted). But I hope now that Jolie-Pitt has put the spotlight on women’s health issues once again, that in the future genetic testing will be available to all women who ask.
Wishing you all the best..
I think this is something that every woman should be able to relate to.
That’s awful! I would think not knowing your family history would make it far more vital that they approve the testing!
You’d think, Sami. But since I can’t prove a family history of cancer, I’m out of luck. When I try to explain that in the late 60’s all adoptions in the US were closed, so I don’t have that info. Like it was MY choice as an infant to be adopted! *head desk* Insurance companies are the Devil’s spawn.
You know what really gets me? It seems to be absolutely vital that men get their ED medications…it’s unthinkable that they not have that paid for through insurance. Yet life-saving medical tests for women are not considered as important. It’s outrageous.
And I’m not trying to turn it into a men versus women conversation. I’m just noticing the way things are prioritized. It seems to me that preventive medical testing should be much higher on the list.
Right? I guess we know who is making those kinds of coverage decisions. *rolls eyes*
Some women can’t even get birth control covered or filled through their “ethical” pharmacists. Interesting that we’ve never heard of the ethical pharmacists who won’t fill scripts for ED meds.
Pls don’t think I am overreaching, but most states allow you to access non-identifying info on your birth parents( assume you are in US). State agency adoptions are typically a bit more thorough re efforts to obtain such info from birth parents at time of relinquishment than private agencies. If you were adopted in the 60s, tho, some of the detailed info we take for granted now didn’t exist then- folks didn’t know to ask. Good luck.
I have the non-identifying information. I got it in 1999 when I had to have fibroid surgery. That paper from the adoption agency is a joke. Half a page of: age of birth mother (16), ethnicity (German & French), that she had her appendix removed the year before I was born and she had blonde hair and blue eyes. No detailed medical information. Same for my bio dad, but his was even shorter. It was utterly useless and cost $200 to get.
I’m registered on some adoption sites to match up if my bio family does. Maybe one day I’ll have extra money to hire private investigator to find them. Thanks everyone for the very helpful posts! That’s why I love CB!
@H, if you don’t mind my asking – how did you access the non-identifying information? I’m in the same boat as you, but did not know I could access this info. Knowing my ethnicity would be amazing.
@mayamae I asked my adoptive mom what agency they used to adopt me since my original birth certificate is sealed and can only be opened by a judge. I called adoption agency, asked for the non identifying info, paid a fee, then they mailed it to me. I’m from Maryland, so your state might be different. MD had one of the tightest adoption records laws when I went searching about 15 years ago. It might be less restrictive now. Good luck.
@H, thanks!
@H, I paid out of pocket for my BRCA test. I was able to decrease my cost with my mother’s positive results. It narrowed the test down to BRCA one. Is it possible for you to contact the Cancer Society in your state to se if you can get a discounted rate? Good luck!
By the time I write someone else might have pointed this out, but you may still have options. You can look for a research study involving genetic testing for the BRCA gene. If you know your ethnicity is of a high-risk group, such as Eastern European Jewish, you will have a greater likelihood of finding such a study as well (esp. in major cities). You can pay out of pocket, if you think there is any reason you are at higher risk especially. You can consult a breast surgeon about other risk factors — there might be other things that are more important contributors to risk (some of which you might be able to limit). And I recently learned that in Canada, where I am, a person who was adopted will, lacking genetic history, be viewed “as if” he or she was a biological child. That was interesting. I guess they also account for shared-history/environmental factors. Otherwise, live your healthy lifestyle – eat well, don’t smoke, don’t drink too much, keep your heart healthy – and that will lower a ton of risks, genetically linked or not. Do your regular screenings. And remember these (known) mutations are rare. If you have them, they are high-risk, but their very existence in the broader population is rare.
H,
Call Myriad testing in Utah. They are the number 1 BRCA tester. It’s a mouth wash rinse. Their test is upwards of two thousand yet if you prove you can’t afford the test and you feel you’re high risk they will comp you.
Going to try this. Thanks. I have endometriosis, which puts me at a higher risk for ovarian cancer, so I really want the testing since I have little medical history from my bio families.
Good luck H.
@lady dee Called. No go. I met the financial and insurance requirements but couldn’t meet the medical ones. Again. I have to show proof that a BLOOD relative had breast/ovarian/pancreatic cancer. When I explained I was adopted and had none of that, they said sorry but you can’t be approved. Frankly, I’m thinking of using my adoptive family’s history of cancer. How would genetic people ever know I’m adopted anyway? I don’t want to do that though. It’s rather discouraging. I did nothing wrong, just was adopted. Seems rather silly insurance companies are punishing adoptees now for something they have no control over.
I’ve posted this before, but I think it’s worth repeating. After her diagnosis of breast cancer, my cousin couldn’t afford the BRCA1 test, but had three children so she wanted to know. Due to inability to pay, the test was paid for by Susan G. Komen, and was thankfully negative.
My mother had a full hysterectomy at 37. It wasn’t an easy time for a while trying to get her hormones right. Looking back at I think she suffered from depression for a while from going into menopause. One of my friends, his wife is 28 and underwent a hysterectomy, throwing her into menopause. It’s been very rough for her and has taken some time to get many of the symptoms under control, but she’s feeling a lot better lately since finding the right dosage of HRT that works for her..
At least, Angie will have peace of mind now after losing her mom and aunt and grandmother to ovarian cancer
The hormone thing is rough. I haven’t had a hysterectomy, but am 36 and have been in early menopause for years. But, I’ve discovered that I really don’t tolerate hormone replacement – even natural progesterone & estrogen leave me feeling nauseous & exhausted – so I’m going without. Hopefully women in this situation will get their hormones worked out quickly – it can be so tough.
If you’re interested, you should try acupuncture and herbs. We can do a lot for menopause symptoms that Western medicine cannot. It may be just what you need. (And for some, the acupuncture/herbs route is not, but the Western medicine is…each person is different).
Hi Gigi-
Not to pry, but early menopause is a symptom of being a Fragile X carrier. Female carriers can experience early menopause due to problems with a mutation on their X chromosome.
I know, because I am a carrier and am suffering from early menopause. I hope you do know the cause to your early menopause, but if you don’t, try researching Fragile X-associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (FXPOI). This particular mutation comes with a host of other, related family health issues, one of which is a Parkinson’s like syndrome. The National Fragile X Foundation is a good start for anyone interested in this topic.
Bless Her! …is so Important she is shining a light on this, no shame no prudishness all very Matter of factly, also I can’t help but think of all the women that aren’t able to afford the good preventative care she has and all those doctors, as she has… My bf’s Mother comes to mind, by the time she got sent to the doctor she ended having 2 weeks to live
On the more superficial end: SEE CELEBRITIES- you can have privacy! The Jolie-Pitts are downright hunted for pics and they still manage to conduct their stuff in private until and when They are ready to let us know
You speak nothing but truth.
QQ
I hear you.
But I would say, even in countries – eg where I am, in the UK – with universal healthcare and where prophylactic ovary removal and mastectomies are available free to all women who may need them, there is still a huge degree of fear and reluctance, and, yes, shame and embarrassment. Not enough women get things sorted before crisis happens.
The more famous women like Jolie demystify a frightening process, the more other women will feel able to share their own experiences, and the more women who will feel empowered to be proactive, take control, and make the decisions that are right for them, IN TIME.
Indeed. There is still a huge stigma associated with cancer. Jolie being public about her experience will hopefully do some good toward decreasing that stigma..
I also have the same gene as Angelina, and my mother and grandmother both passed away from ovarian cancer. I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed two years ago when I was 34, eight months after I had my first baby. It is not an easy decision to go into menopause at such a young age, but I’m so thankful I did for the life of myself and my family. Angelina Jolie is so inspiring, and I’ve been so thankful that she has been open and honest about her ordeal. It’s comforting and empowering!
This made me cry for some reason! I’ve lost 3 women on both sides of my family to ovarian cancer so I’ve seriously considered removing everything after I (hopefully) have one more baby at some in the future. It’s such a scary thought though, and I think it’s wonderful that Angelina has been so open about her journey, I’m sure it’s comforting to a lot of women who struggle with this.
I teared up too. I hope she lives a long and happy life.
Another OMG morning.. had no idea..
She said in her first op-ed that she would share her experience when she had the next surgery. So here she is doing it. I’m sure she and Brad went through many scary moments. As a woman that has had to wait for results from these kinds of testing.. It is hard and your mind goes to every place imaginable. I don’t feel sorry for her.. I feel proud of her for her strength and her attitude in all of this. I can’t imagine another woman not understanding the fear and anxiousness of it all. I’m sure she and Brad both look at their life and realize how much they have; with each other and their 6 children. Many women have to go through this alone. And that is what is sad
I’m proud to a HUGE fan of this woman. Always.
I’m glad she takes the time to write these pieces, all attention to women’s health is a good thing, and I have to imagine that it helps people going through the same thing.
I agree, she is amazing and by doing this she brings attention to women’s health. God bless her.
I had a friend who died from cancer, and watching her struggle. The pain. There are no words in this world to describe it. I am bereaved, but I wish my friend didn’t suffer like she did.
At least you were a comfort and a support for her. Find people and things to help provide the same comfort for yourself as you continue to heal. Plant something or make a worthy contribution in her name – her memory will be entwined with it forever.
I know what you mean. When my Aunt died from cancer I still to this day have no words for the pain she went through. It changed me forever.
Went through the same with my aunt. The way she suffered, the pain, a woman so full of life having to go that way it has imprinted my life forever.
I’m here to wish Angelina the best health. I too have had that surgery and its not the end of the world. At first, within hours you start the feeling of menopause with the hot flashes. At the time of the month for your period you get the feeling as if you are having a period. I find cutting back on sugar is a great help with the hot flashes. I never felt not feminine. After a few months you get accustomed to the new feelings.
The sex is great and it’s such a great relief not having to deal with that time of the month problem. No problem with brittle bone 20+ years later. Btw, every woman has to go through this sooner or later, it’s just a part of life for every woman if you live long enough. I know Brad and the kids will shower her with kisses.
She’s a true inspiration and so brave. I loved her essay and on a superficial note I was stunned by the silver dress look again when I saw it at the end of the post – beautiful inside and out.
Good for her; these can’t have been easy decisions to make.
Proud of her for doing this. Just like she said. She made it her experience and did not tell others how to deal with it, which is very important. I went through early surgically induced menopause and it was not fun. Waking up soaked or breaking out in a sweat at the most inopportune times, like in the middle of an important business meeting and trying to discreetly wipe your forehead. Annoying things, but a part of it. Again, good on her for telling HER truth, and not trying to make it THE truth.
Superficial: Again this couple keeps their sh!t tight. They tell us when they are ready. Odd how tabloids have sources for crap, but not major surgeries, marriage and other important occasions in this families’ life. In other words, no one talks in their inner circle. Other superficial, she wrote as Angelina Jolie Pitt.
What a gracious and strong woman! If I were in her position, I would do exactly the same. May God keep you strong, happy and healthy. Angie!
For once words fail me, I am just sitting here with tears. I so admire this woman.
My first thought was, “Good for her. I hope she’s happy and healthy.”
My second thought was, “Damn, it must be nice to be able to get a test result, see a surgeon the same day, and have your procedure done in two weeks.” Is that an example of European healthcare, or a privilege of wealth, because no one I know has been able to move that fast even after a cancer diagnosis.
Within two weeks of finding my lump myself, I had seen multiple doctors, had a mammogram, and ultrasound, a lumpectomy, a diagnosis, and was scheduled for a second surgery and numerous diagnostic exams to see if it had spread. Within three weeks, I had started chemo and had had a radiation consult and protocol arranged. Unfortunately, in the US, much does depend on where you live, your insurance, your doctors, and the resources available. I know that if I had lived in other parts of the US (I’m in Boston), the time from discovery to diagnosis would have been much longer and fewer treatment options would have been available to me. My cancer spread three times between that mammogram and the second surgery.
Boston is such a great town to live in with the emphasis on medical research and care. Every infertile couple I know who had treatments there (more than I care to count) went on to have multiple children. My newborn spent 8 days at Children’s due to a stroke in utero and resulting seizures and they treated him, kept close tabs on him and got us connected with Early Intervention as a toddler. Our EI team in Wakefield was known nationally and my son thrived under their care. I’m forever grateful for how many people in Boston proactively cared for my son and set him up for success later on.
All because an alert nurse at Beverly Hospital happened to notice his arm twitching 24 hrs after birth (localized seizure), notified the pediatric neurologist, who saw episodes of apnea and seizures and promptly ordered the $4k ambulance (with the four specialists) to transfer him to Childrens for testing.
My surgery happened that quickly (actually, it might have been 3 weeks). I got my test results back, saw my doctor and we got the surgery scheduled and done and over with pretty quickly. I was very fortunate that I was negative for the gene and did not have a cancer diagnosis, but because of my very strong family history of cancer, along with endometriosis, my doctor thought it was best to remove my ovaries.
That was about a year and a half ago. (Obviously) I went into menopause immediately. It’s not fun! But even with the unpleasant side effects I am glad I had it done. I was 49 and having children was not a consideration, so I didn’t have that additional factor to consider.
I do wonder sometimes if I would have gone through with a double mastectomy if my BRCA-1 test had come back positive. It’s something I thought about long and hard while waiting for the results. It’s an incredibly hard choice to make and I have so much respect for all women who are faced with these difficult choices. If AJ speaking out about her health concerns helps to raise awareness and gets more of a conversation going then I can only think that is a good thing. Women shouldn’t feel like they are all alone when facing such challenges.
I can’t speak to propylactic procedures but I’m in the UK. I was having chemo within three weeks of my first visit to my GP (not the oncologist, which came after )both times I needed it. A couple of years back, my father noticed some blood in his stools. The entire process from GP visit to hospital referral to bowel resection surgery to coming home after it, happened in under a month.
But we have our fair share of misdiagnosing and late diagnosing and hospital lists delays, too.
Well, there is no perfect health care system. The best we can do is try to keep informed and advocate for ourselves (and our loved ones) and not just allow ourselves to get lost in the bureaucracy of it all.
@Sixer, when I was diagnosed, I was actually working with people on a study of wait times for access to health care. We had someone from the British health services come in and explain the waiting period laws, which most Americans misinterpret. The wait time is the absolute longest it should take, not how long the average person must wait, which is usually much less. I asked him for the wait time on my type of breast cancer and his answer shocked most people in the room because the maximum allowable was two weeks shorter than the average waiting period in most American states.
Wow. That warms the cockles of my Britisher heart – and sympathise with you guys.
Plus, we do this on 8.5% of GDP health spending. The US spends 17%. Madness, isn’t it?
@Sixer, yes, sheer, utter madness and it makes me crazy.
Once my BRCA came back positive, I was meeting with a surgeon within days. It was a bit overwhelming. I took a month to get things in order with my job, but I had my surgery within 2 months of receiving my results. They don’t play with positive diagnoses.
I’m concerned. I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in April 2014, had six months of chemo and a double mastectomy January 28th. Tomorrow I go in for my radiation. I have a history of various cancers on both sides of my family – tons of breast cancer on my mother’s side and two of my father’s sisters with inflammatory breast and ovarian cancers. My father, along with three brothers, died fron colon/prostate cancer.
My cancer was triple negative, often fatal, but I was treated at a teaching hospital rather than a regional or community facility so I benefited from a new protocol. I am told that I am cancer free and with radiation I have less than a five percent chance of it returning. The doctors were shocked that I did so well.
I was offered a BRCA test and turned it down, mainly because they are obligated to make you aware of all the possibilities of disease. I don’t want to walk around wondering if I have a headache or brain cancer. Now I am not so sure. I was feeling good but now I’m sad.
@anon321, ah, radiation! If I could send you a box of corn starch, I would. You’ll need it for the itching. Be well. Mine was triple negative as well and I’m still here. You’re going to have that uneasiness for a while. It takes a while but it will pass.
Depends on what kind of insurance you have. My sister had her procedure done in two weeks.
What’s weird is, people, especially those who don’t know what’s available to them, typically just stick with the status quo.
Like all the people complaining about not getting to keep their substandard healthcare because of ‘obamacare.’ Well…one reason why some might have to wait eons for appointments is because they were screaming and insisting they HAD keep their crappy doctor.
For me it was less than a week after they found the tumor. Mine was brain though, and threatening the optic nerves. They REALLY don’t mess around with that.
Kudos to her for speaking out and i hope she recovers quickly. One of my close friends, who is older than me, started the menopause early and went on to develop MS, very heart breaking.
She is about the only celeb who is genuine in the causes she supports – take notes Madge.
Sending love to her and her family.
I am speechless. She is such an inspiration. I am in age related peri menopause, and it is not much fun. I wish her and her family all the best. She is amazing.
I teared up reading parts of it… so emotional and raw. The part where she says she was in haze for days, waiting. I totally related to that! I went through a scare once and it was like an out of body experience.
I agree. I know that haze, too. But it seems she stayed calm throughout, if only for her kids. Much healthier way to deal, I’ve learned.
I remember being at the hospital when a few of us were called back because of abnormal mammograms and this one older woman was in hysterics, calling her best friend on her phone, telling her to keep the news from her husband, asking her to take care of things if she died, etc. Then when she came back later with an “all clear” she called her friend again, all sheepish. All of us waiting with her were exhausted by her drama and I remember thinking how unproductive and unnecessary it was.
I lost my grandmother and both of my aunts to breast and ovarian cancer by the time they were 50. At 30, I found out I had endometriosis for years and cysts on both ovaries. When the doctor explained my chances of ovarian cancer, it was not a hard choice to have a hysterectomy. At all
I can totally understand. I had no cancer in the family but dealing with horrific endometriosis for years (can’t take hormones), several surgeries to remove cysts and constant pain from scar tissue inside my belly (and knowing the tissue is growing into my bowels/bladder), I chose to have it all removed.
I wish I could “like” all the posts here today from people sharing their stories. My mother died from breast cancer at 51, nearly 20 yrs ago. I wish she was here more than ever, now that my sister has kids. Glad that Angelina’s grandkids will know her.
So true…it’s posts like this one that make me love Celebitchy and appreciate the community here whole-heartedly.
I’m sorry that you lost your mom–that had to have been hard. I hope that your warm memories of her bring you comfort now.
Dang! I knew her mother died of ovarian cancer, I had no idea that her grandmother and aunt did too. That sucks that she has to remove her ovaries and Fallopian tubes and have menopausal early but hey, I guess she wouldn’t have to worry about getting the cancer that killed three women in her family.
I wish her luck.
I commend her for sharing her story! My sister is a survivor of ovarian and colon cancer (no one else, that we know of in our family, has had these cancers), and I will tell you, it has made me so much, more diligent to make sure I have my gynie exams, mammograms and colonscopies, when I am supposed too. Just recently, during my routine gynie exam a fairly large vaginal cyst was detected. I had surgery to have it removed, and the wait to hear wether it was cancer or benign was nerve wracking. Fortunately, it was benign! We need these open discussions about female cancer, to remind women, to have their tests done, when they are supposed too. Before my sister’s cancer, I was very lazy, about having my exams. Especially, because we had no family history of cancer….but now, boom, I make my appointments immediately…If Angies story helps to remind some women, mmmm, I need to have an exam…then bringing her personal story public is a blessing…
I lost my father to cancer and had several girl friends battling cancer now. I had no knowledge about cancer and the whole bunch of options/information until it came to the people I loved and care about. If her article helps any one fighting cancer or their love ones to explore their options and helps them in their own battle, then it was worth sharing her story. It is very sad to see lots of really really hateful and disgusting comments around the Internet saying she’s addicted to fame, self-mutilation and all the other BS. I applause her for trying to help others despite her own difficulties — that is all.
Sadly, I have a feeling it’s mostly men trolling with those kinds of comments about self-mutilation, etc.
It’s sad and sick that people say things like that. Fortunately, her kids won’t give a flying fig about any of that or what those people think, because to them she’s just MOM, and they are happy she will be around for them and their children for a long, long time.
this made me cry.
I admire her for taking control of her health in this way and for speaking out about it. It is nice to see a celebrity using her powers for good ☺
She’s one of the few celebrities I truly admire. It’s so nice to see the serenity in her face, in her words, I bet her mother would be happy to see it. I often imagine how I’d face life if I ever had a cancer, although I hope I’ll never find out!
My Lady!! Her Strength. God bless her and her family. Like she said again she made the choices that was right for her. Her body her choice. LOVE HER.
I just love when people use being a High School drop out a reason to bash someone. While dropping out is not ideal, school is not ideal for everyone. Each person has life circumstances that come up that may mean not finishing H.S. That does not make someone stupid. There are many people who do not have a formal education who are more intelligent then most. If I compare the amount of ignorant stuff Jolie has said compared to you Nina I am afraid you win hands down. You take your dislike of a person to knock them down no matter the issue. Jolie made it very clear that options for each person are different and you need to discuss that with your Dr.
And before you bash me as probably being a drop out too. No I was lucky, I had supportive parents and life let me graduate. My baby sister though did not due to my Dad being diagnosed with cancer. She put helping my Mom take care of my Dad over her education and never regretted it. She was able a few years ago to finally get her GED.
So maybe next time before you post something inappropriate especially about an issue concerning someone else’s health and personal decisions you should do what you were taught in elementary school, “Find something nice to say or say nothing at all.”
@ Justme: I agree with your response, fortunately Nina’s comment was taken off as it was utterly idiotic and insulting.
I was wondering what she was talking about, dropping out of high school, etc., thanks for clarifying! Apparently that Nina person doesn’t seem to realize that graduating early (Angelina graduated from high school at 16) is NOT the same as dropping out. Unless she was talking about Angelina dropping out of NYU?
The irony is, she actually graduated High School a year earlier than her peers! I don’t know where this ‘drop out’ story came from. Probably the tabloids. Fact is, she accelerated and graduated early.
She isn’t a doctor. But if she encourages people to get checkups that is a worthy goal
Who cares? Is it your body? No, it’s not. Therefore it’s no business of yours to pass judgement on anyone for their own health decisions.
Oops this was supposed to be a reply to Nina up there ^^
I just want to say how much I admire all the wonderful ladies who have come forth on this post about their own battles with cancer and other conditions that have necessitated similar surgeries to AJ’s. A big hug to you all, you brave and defiant women! XOXO
I am glad she is sharing her experience because it’s valuable information for every woman.
I feel a bit connected to it and I feel like I should say something about my own experience just for the sake of putting information out there to others. Last year I had to have one of my ovaries removed due to an assault that I never told anyone about. I guess time took its toll on the injury. It was so out of the blue for me as I didnt know I had been in pain all of these years… funny how it took surgery for me to realise what normal felt like. Luckily, I didnt experience menopause but there were a few troublesome symptoms I had to deal with until my hormones regulated themselves.
So I just want to say, if you have ever been assaulted, especially in a sexual way and never told anyone… please get yourself checked out even if its twenty years later. Even if you dont think you’re in pain. As Angelina put it, look into all of your options, promote your own health, do what you need to do to be here in ten, twenty, thirty years from now. Take care of yourself. Be aware.
Shizwhat – I’ve been reading everyone’s comments on this post and and felt like I had nothing more to add, but appreciative – and in awe of – many people commenting here and sharing their stories. I am so sorry about what you went through, but glad that you are okay. I wanted to share, too, and say that I also was assaulted 21 years ago and may need surgery now. I’m looking at my options, talking to doctors, and figuring out costs. Take care.
Solidarity, girl. I’m with you. It hurts, doesnt it? But you’re ok and you will be ok. There are a lot of us out there. I hope you have someone to lean on. I wish you the absolute best.
Wow, thank you for your post, it is very enlightening! It may very well help someone else.
I wonder if Melissa Ethridge will come up with another bunch of garbage about how this wasn’t the “brave” thing to do. I for one commend her for being proactive.
I don’t know why but I’m tearing up again.. bless her.
How refreshing to read something truly focused on women’s health rather than instructions for losing that pesky baby weight.
Seriously!
My admiration for her continues to grow.
God, she’s so strong and brave for sharing this with the public. Knowledge IS power. I lost my aunt over a year ago because of ovarian cancer. She had overcame breast cancer 10 years prior and no doctor told her she had the option to remove her ovaries which would have been the right thing to do since the cancer first appear when she was 35. She would have done it in second and to watch her go the way she did over something that should have been preventable has been really rough on the entire family. I hope Angie gets by as best as she can manage and that she remains healthy. Again, I applaude her for sharing her expirience.
Honest question: Are hormone replacements safe (either the ones she’s getting or so-called “natural” creams)? As a woman only a decade away from menopause, I’ve been doing my research, and I’m leaning toward the conclusion they’re not (so many disagreements among experts, but I’ve been comparing/contrasting studies). Obviously, she doesn’t run the risk of breast cancer (one of the worries) but there are many others that suggest allowing the body to go into menopause without added hormones is safer. Dietary changes (esp. eliminating animal products and sugar) seems to make a huge difference to quality of life during menopause, as is evidenced more clearly in cross-cultural studies.
Anyway, this is a genuine question. I admire Angelina and am not trying to criticize her decision.., just edjumicate myself 🙂
I think its misleading to say that she is in “menopause” because its not the same thing to be without ovaries as it is to be at that age in your life where your hormones are no longer geared toward baby production. You still have your ovaries which are the main source of female hormones and you still have hormones in your body doing jobs they are meant to do. To have your ovaries removed means your body does not even have the regular hormones in varying amounts that it should have. When it comes to situations like this, hormone replacement is absolutely necessary. So in short, she is in menopause in the sense that she can’t have children and will likely feel symptoms associated with that… but its not the menopause you or anyone with a full set of ovaries will know.
I think I’d start with dietary changes (no red meat, no dairy, no sugar) , lots of veg, Omega3, vitamins, I’m post surgery (removal of everything due to stage IV endometriosis) and I can’t take hormones (nobody will prescribe them for me as I have a blood clotting disorder), so I take red clover supplement and , combined with a healthy diet, it really does alleviate the symptoms. Hormones obviously will keep you feeling “young” but many of my friends on HRT were not happy with it, so while I’d like to have an option to take it, sometimes I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision. My body has to adjust naturally to the changes and, believe me, it does.. slowly but surely.
I love how people can hide behind their computer but not their STUPID.. And no I don’t mean ignorance. What’s did you read that you didn’t understand? HER BODY HER CHOICE.
Such a well written article and level headed approach, and still it brought tears to my eyes
So many thoughtful and supportive posts have already been made, so I’ll only add my wishes for a swift recovery and for her to live a long & happy life with her husband & children. Her strength and candor are to be admired.
Rest and recuperate, Angie, love your family and soak uup their love.
I had awful heavy periods every month and a history of fibroids, beign cysts in my ovaries and uterus with a history on my maternal side of ovarian and or endometrial cancer. So it was a no brainier when my gynecologist suggested I have the same procedure she had. At 44. It was the best decision ever, I had “keyhole” surgery, 3 tiny incisions. When I got home that afternoon I actually called my doctors office to ask why she didn’t operate because I could find the tape over the 1″ incisions (your abdomen is expanded for the procedure). 3 weeks later I was climbing over the ruins of Angkor Wat and temples in Cambodia and hiking in Vietnam. I wear the same small Vivelle bio hormone dot that she wears (because there is no history of breast cancer in my family thank God and Jolie can do this because her breast tissue was removed). I use a compounded testosterone cream 2 times weekly. I am fear and pain free and the truth is I feel SO much better and my sexual desire is stronger than before the surgery, and I am not kidding. I don’t experience the moodiness or anxiety I was having before the procedure. She is an amazing role model for all women, and particularly for all younger women who live in a society where beauty and sexuality are valued. I remember my own dread about losing my “feminity and a total woman” with my husband. What a joke as my husband was relieved I had decided to have the procedure. I can’t imagine what it would be like for someone who is undoubtedly the most recognized women in the world and without debate one of the most beautiful. It’s a testament to her that she uses this to take back power and help herself, her family, and others faced with the same difficult decisions. I hope I can one day say I saved or helped to save a life; she embodies selflessness.
Thank you for sharing your story! I’m so happy that you are okay.
That is a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing!
When I read this on the New York Times site in the morning I was so touched by the shear honesty empathy and practicality of it. There wasn’t any shade or need for pity in her words. It was so real and quite emotional especially where she said “my kids don’t have to say their mum died of ovarian cancer” because she was talking from her own painful experience.
Yes Jolie is a movie star and super rich so she can afford the treatments whereby there are so many women who can’t and are suffering and no one makes a bone about that like in her case but the truth is she is also human. Every one both the rich and the poor feels pain and sadness cos they are all mortals. We are so caught up in the gliz and glamour of the lives of celebrities that we sometimes forget they are humanbeings as we are and hence liable to feel pain,sorrow and loss with the same magnitude we do.
With her star power she has brought more awareness to this dreadful cancer and will make the average woman going through it not to feel alone or less of a woman.
Just a note on BRCA testing, a negative test result for the gene does not mean a woman will not get certain types of cancer. I say this because I have met women who skip regular checkups because they tested negative. My paternal grandmother had breast cancer. I had an extremely aggressive form of infiltrator ductal carcinoma of the breast. When I got my diagnosis, my sister, my mom, four aunts (both sides of my family because we’ve had lots of different types of cancer), 10 cousins, and I were all tested for BRCA. All were negative. Other unknown genes cause cancer too, so don’t skip out on regular diagnostic tests
That is scary that they skip screenings because of a negative gene test result!!!
I am in a holding position of sorts. My doctors think my family might have a gene that hasn’t been discovered yet, because of the high rates of breast cancer before 45 and ovarian cancer. Even with this scary family history, my lab tech at my recent 3D mammogram reminded me that a high number (I think it was 70%) of breast cancers aren’t because of heredity. They are still approaching my care as if I do have the gene, though.
It is a crazy thing to wrap your head around, for sure!
I have come to feel such a great deal of respect for this woman. She’s never been a favorite of mine–but I’ve been completely won over by her work ethic, her devotion to her family, her philanthropy and now by her personal courage.
Couple of years ago (at age 48) I had my uterus and both ovaries removed due to stage IV endometriosis (it was the last of many surgeries to remove cysts, tumors, scar tissue etc) and, let me tell you, the aftermath is no joke. The menopause hit me within 3-4 days of the surgery, very, very hard because I can’t take HTR, having a genetic blood clotting disorder – Factor V Leiden. I had a crying spell that lasted 24 hours, crashing headaches, sleepless nights, memory loss, muscle and joint pains that lasted months, urinary problems.. on the top of constant hot flashes of course, which went on for about a year. The second year was a bit better but I’m still dealing with the symptoms. It’s been the hardest (healthwise) thing I had to go through even though there was no cancer scare (girls, remember that CA-125 can be very elevated with endometriosis, don’t panic.. both times they did the test on me, I had over 160 (normal is up to 30)) . I really do admire her for going public with this – even though she’s on hormones, she’s still a very young woman going through menopause. And believe me, surgical menopause is harsher than natural one. I am grateful I have children but I do feel for women who had to have the surgery before they had a chance to have them.. it’s heartbreaking.
Big hugs to anyone who had to go through this stuff.
Every woman do not go through menopause the same way, it is like child birth again every woman is different.
The worst thing is to be pregnant and someone comes to you and tell you how horrible their delivery was, same for menopause.
Best wishes to this wonderful lady for as full and fast a recovery as possible.
Doesn’t it seem like some people ARE gifts to humanity?
I love her!
Wonderful, as always. Sending love and the best wishes her way.
I wrote a comment on Yahoo! news, and made a comment. The general public, on Fox and Yahoo, is negative toward her; big lips, can’t stay away from Jennifer, a faker, etc. People can be so blind…she is doing this to help other women, IMO, and I won’t apologize for respecting her!
What an amazing human being!
Surgery is terrifying, painful, and with you always. There’s comfort in knowing others face this too. You don’t have to be a huge Angie fan to appreciate her sharing such a personal experience. She’s rich, beautiful, blessed in her home life…and has scars just like other people.
All these heartwarming survivor stories is making my tear ducts act up. I’m so glad Lilacflowers, Sixer and Jaded et al are all still with us.
She seems to suffer of malnutrition, if anything.
I feel sad for you.
You seem to suffer from decency.
When you see that face, you think “perfection”. But AJ is capable of something so much more special than being beautiful. I feel like a friend just shared a really scary experience with me, to help me out. No, I’m not delusional, but you guys get what I’m saying. When she reaches out,like this, you just want to hold her hand or hug her. Not many other famous people have this gift. Stay well, AJ.
AJ generously shared very personal information and explained her reasons behind her decisions. She did not proselytize nor present herself as a medical expert. Because of her celebrity, revealing her personal information raises awareness and that is undeniably generous on her part. It may prompt other women to consult their own doctors.
There were a lot of snarky comments on NYT’s op ed page, as if they begrudged her the resources she has. She could have stayed silent.
I had BC at age 37 as a single parent with a nine year old. My biggest fear was who would take care of my child if I didn’t survive. My insurance was canceled after my diagnosis and it took me 7 years to pay off my bills for surgery & 12 weeks of radiation. After 5 years of remission, I was able to buy insurance again but at a very high price. When the BC recurred 20 years later, insurance paid most of the costs for additional surgery & a year of massive chemo, as well as a hysterectomy + oophorectomy. I’m in remission again and my “child” is an adult who got BC herself at age 35. She’s healthy now too but has also experienced premature menopause.
AJ’s decisions about her own health needs and concerns for the future of her family are very real. Anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis can relate and I’m happy for anyone who can avoid the serious effects of that disease by any means possible. I know that not everyone, regardless of quality of treatment, survives. I am grateful for my own good fortune but know that my research, consults with experts, and advocacy on my own behalf contributed to my current health.
I think Angelina’s message for vigilance is an important one to share and she’s to be commended.
If you have three immediate female relatives who have died of a cancer they can screen for, and you screen positive? Yeah you SHOULD be encouraged to do elective surgery, especially if you come back with a hint of cancer. Why is it bad even if she *was* encouraging women to take this step? Yeah your health is yours and all, but it’s not an affront to my womanhood to make a scientific, logical choice. Why is this offensive?
I’m a breast cancer surgeon (ahem, and gossip lover.) Angelina has done more to benefit my patients than she could ever know. She gave them a voice to discuss these options, and someone to look up too, rather than feeling like they had to keep their disease/genetic status/postop status hidden.
So she never actually had cancer….ever….just the probability. OK.
She was told by her specialists that she has an 87% chance of getting cancer. Ie she only has 13% chance of not getting cancer. What would you do, racer?
Racer would then find some other snarky thing to say about Angelina. Right, Racer. Take your evil little soul elsewhere.
Angelina is such an inspiration! I wish much health and happiness to her and her family. And my heart and blessings go out to all of you posters that have shared your own experiences. It does take courage to speak out about something so personal. Especially when women’s bodies are so objectified by society as a whole, that to remove the “feminine” parts reduces many to feel shame for being “less than a woman”. That attitude must change, so that more women will feel encouraged to seek the medical care they need before it’s too late, and having someone so public speak out about it just helps that cause, I think. My prayers and well wishes to Angelina, her family, and to all of you and yours! And hugs to those who have lost a loved one.
Wow!
One marriage–complete with kids participating–and two major, life altering surgeries. All without breathing a word until everyone was safe and home. No small feat. Color me impressed.
Don’t talk to me ever again about this woman being a media whore.
She really is amazing. I admire her, I do.
Yep, smoking ‘whatever’ (as someone mentioned earlier) isn’t good – but life is what it is.
From a guy’s perspective, Brad flying home immediately is what decent guy does.
Though I may be projecting, I would lay odds that he would trade places with her in a second, if only he could.
…we’re not all bad, and most of you aren’t angels.
He did the right thing.
I’m proud of her for taking such a harsh decision. She’s doing the best she can so she can be with her family. In my country they’ve published the same article and all the comments were so hurtful, shallow and full of disinformation, it was very sad. I hope this example can help women worldwide to search for help and prevention for this horrible disease.
I just admire her a lot, it’s a brave thing to speak so openly about this huge decision when she is already so much in the public eye. I hope it gets more women into screening to prevent or treat future health problems.
I have only good/positive thoughts about Angie and this story. It’s amazing that science has brought us to this point, Having said that, I hope the discussion eventually leads to women having to cut out healthy parts of ourselves as cancer prevention, and to find less extreme measures to be safe. Maybe some of the ED research money could be diverted.
Angie wrote a beautiful op-ed piece for The New York Times.
I read it at work this morning and thought, wow, what balls.
There was no need for her to tell us anything, but she did.
That takes courage and empathy. Something most celebrities at that level do not have.
I like checking in with you guys! There are some great stories of strength on this comment thread. My kudos to all of you for the positive discussion and reinforcement of women’s health issues, and to Angelina for sparking it with her op-ed piece. She’s a smart, strong woman. I find myself quite a fan by now.
I wonder also if that awareness that’s been ticking in her all along is why she began her family relatively early (for a successful Hollywood actress). I imagine she wanted to waste no time getting on with her life, and damned to the negative stuff. A good lesson for us all there too…
How very sad to hear with all that she went through.
On a side note.
There’s too many comments to read, so I do not know if this was brought up. I wonder if she had her eggs frozen. She could easily have more children using a surrogate.
They have six kids. She was fortunately to experience childbirth with 3 of those children. I think she and Brad are done having kids at this point. Their twins are going to be 7. It is really interesting that the subject of them having more children is still brought up. Not being negative to your comment. But they have 6 kids. I don’t think they are desperate for more. She said once in an interview after having the twins that she had only planned on being pregnant 2 times. And having the twins just threw them for a bit.
I love Jolie for using her platform to illuminate issues such as this. What can I say? The woman is all class.
As an aside, and as an Australian, I am horrified by all the American women on this site with health issues talking about insurers, out of pocket expenses, stratospheric health bills and the like, all in the richest country in the world.
Australians enjoy free health care and it is a great gift that we have been given, one that our current government is trying to undermine. You can go into public hospital for any procedure and they swipe your Medicare card and you pay nada.
I am so sad you all have to endure this sort of anxiety right when you should be looking after yourselves. Why is the American health system so fragmented, confusing and so downright unfair?
As a fellow Aussie, I agree Snowpea. I don’t understand it, either. I’ve never known what its like to not have free healthcare. And I hope I never do.
I love this woman so much. I hope she has a long and healthy life with her kids and Brad. Same to all members who have suffered from cancer or a cancer scare. I wish you all well.
I love her for sharing this experience. Of course she is not the only woman to go through this but she has the ability to give a voice to all those woman that have endured and survived. So much respect for her and all of you for sharing your stories. I rarely have time to read comments but took the time tonight. It is really inspiring and I love that she has opened the door so woman will talk more about these very serious issues and not feel shame.
If anyone told me I had the chance of cancer and not being there to raise my babies I wouldn’t think twice about doing exactly what she did. Those who say it was extreme and unnecessary can keep their opinions to themselves because they don’t have a clue until you walk in her shoes. Brave Angelina Jolie, bad ass feminist.
Incredibly brave and impressively decisive when facing a decision many women would balk at, but I imagine her mastectomy made it somehow not easier, but just, let’s fix this sh*t now. The part about seeing her Mom’s doctor, I just couldn’t even imagine or deal with that. It must have been poignant to say the least, knowing she was taking steps that could have saved her Mom from a premature death. And now I need to go cry somewhere.
I have a slightly different view on this: my uncle had complained about his back, then he got a surgery, which was brilliantly performed and was about to be discharged from the hospital when he suddenly collapsed and died. When the doctors opened him up, they discovered he had cancer. How did none of them saw it? Because doctors are not gods. They do what they can but sometimes they make mistakes. It is a personal decision Angelina made to remove her organs after taking doctor’s advice but I can’t help but think of so many instances in history when doctors were mistaken. Sure, one might say, the alternative is death, but we don’t know what will this removal of her organs do to her body while she’s still alive. I’m not saying what she did is right or wrong. It’s a tough tough choice one has to make and obviously everyone has the right to do what they deem is right. But it’s good to consider different sides of an issue.
l am not a fan at all – I think she is overrated as an actress and as a humanitarian. But I do wish her well. It must be terrifying to have six young children and her family medical history.
But if she does smoke, all bets are off for her health. How could she be so stupid as to be getting body parts cut out and still smoke?? And I say this as an ex-smoker, whose quitting put me into early menopause.
We don’t know that she smokes only that there is a photo of her allegedly smoking. I doubt very much she is a regular smoker. We’d have seen more if she was. This has just become the latest way to attack her without actual knowledge. Thanks for playing that role.
Hey, smoking is smoking. Sorry for bringing it up, I guess you’re an AJ worshipper. To me, she’s just a person who, if she smokes with her genes, is exceedingly stupid.
We don’t even know if it was a cigarette or a joint. Or an E-cig as many said it looked like so no, smoking is not smoking.
A Jolie was very sweet to encourage women to be agressive toward obstacles preventing health. God Bless that she didn’t hide behind the misleading myth of a type of perfection and jumped in to help us all. Good health to her.
I recently had the same procedure done. You we do it for the love of our family.
Comparing her to those who actually have cancer is insulting. There’s a difference between having and taking preventative measures. Good for her for taking measures to mitigate her risks…but I read an article that says she’s a smoker. I’m a nurse not a doctor but to go through all that trouble physically and emotionally to prevent the disease and still partake in activities that will cause another form of the disease is downright foolish and a waste….the procedure doesn’t eliminate her risk of ovarian cancer. She has absolutely no idea what she’s in for. This procedure comes with an astronomical amount of complications. It’s her life and her health so more power to her. I hope for her sake she gives up smoking.
So the test came back that it might be a precursor to cancer, but her tissues showed no signs of cancer? So she should be concerned that there is cancer somewhere else in her body? What else will she have removed? Inflammation doesn’t have to mean cancer, depending upon the test that was done; it could mean heart disease which is a much bigger killer of women in the U.S..
Now she will spend the rest of her life on hormones, some of which have been linked to heart disease and cancer. All because she let the overriding fear of her DNA get the best of her. With all of her money, it seems that she would’ve been able to see a doctor who would’ve told her about how we can influence our DNA and can use natural means to prevent cancer. It’s too late for her now, in some ways. I hate that because I really do like her as a person and as an actress.
I’m quite bitter about this because my mother was diagnosed aged 42 with what is now called Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She was given a less than 2% chance of living, yet lived for another 19 1/2 years. Had we known about such things as an alkaline diet, raw diet, optimum nutrition, cannabis oil, and tumeric, she might still be alive today. Angelina has access to all of those things, yet decided to have surgeries which only take away some chances of cancer; not all.
Jag, she had extensive DNA and other testing. She was told by her specialists that she has an 87% chance of getting cancer. Ie she only has 13% chance of not getting cancer. What would you do?
If quack gimmicks like all those rubbish diets actually worked, no one would ever die of cancer. Its irresponsible to promote fraud diet scams. I don’t understand why you are bitter. Are you ANGRY that your mother lasted for 19 and a half years? Something to be GRATEFUL for, I would have thought. If it wasn’t for medicine, it could have, and would have been a lot less. Especially if she fell for one of those homeopathic dangerous scams like you mention. Luckily for her, she didn’t. Otherwise she would have died a lot sooner.
..
When I read on March 24 (Tuesday) the new Op-Ed of AJ, “Diary of a Surgery”, I was teary-eyed once again. I knew she would eventually undergo ovarian operation based on her previous Op-Ed, “My Medical Choice” & often wondered when she would do it. Now that she finally did it, I was still shocked but concerned with great admiration & much respect for her BRAVERY & SELFLESS public revelation about her medical condition in her pure intent of encouraging women to consider available options ONLY after careful research & series of medical consultations & tests/ examinations besides family & financial considerations.
Bear in mind, the key important words/ phrases in her Op-Ed are:
– useful information
– stay calm & focused
– what you live for and what matters
– more than one way to deal with any health issue
– not possible to remove ALL risk
– expect some physical changes
– a part of life
– not easy to make decisions
– possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue
– seek advice
– learn about the options
– make choices that are right for you personally
– KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
She decided to share a very personal matter or information to the public NOT because she wanted controversy or to be talked about BUT rather in order to help other women through her experience somehow. She doesn’t need to be famous for this because she already is. She is AJ!!! She is not just famous but enormously famous. She just wanted for more discussion & possible positive results to further research & government support on women’s health issue.
Every time she writes her Op-Ed, it has a great impact or effect on people. It surely starts discussion. The public just don’t read what she writes BUT really talk thoroughly what she is sharing & its related issues. It certainly creates debates & generates varied opinions. Mostly, people lauds her personal choice especially knowing that she has assessed her health condition with much care by seeking the advice of medical authorities. She is in constant consultations with her doctors before she came up with a major decision. So, AJ is just sending a message that only make a personal decision if armed with necessary, relevant information that goes with it.
When Angelina had her double mastectomy I had to stop reading the comments of certain gossip sites because I was floored by the venom and vitriol. People said she was being hysterical, that she was doing it for attention, that it was a publicity stunt. It made me sick. My mother had breast cancer and I am so terrified of it (or any other cancer) recurring. I completely applaud her for taking advantage of the opportunity to avoid cancer. She doesn’t want her kids to see her suffer, she doesn’t want to leave them early and she’s doing everything she can to be there. I’m really glad she speaks out about this stuff because it might make other women take note and be more vigilant about family histories, blood tests, mammograms and pap smears.