Angelina Jolie Removing Ovaries In Effort To Reduce Cancer Risk

Legendary Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is in the news again, following reports that she plans to soon undergo an operation to remove her ovaries.

According to an article recently published in U.S. News & World Report, the actress has already undergone a double mastectomy in order to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer. Now she will also have her ovaries removed, to further reduce her risk of cancer.

The Academy Award winning actress recently informed the media that this radical decision was made after learning that her genetic code included a gene known as BRCA1. This gene has been scientifically proven to be linked to a significantly higher cancer risk for all individuals who carry it. For women, of course, this would translate to a much higher risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer.

The professor, from the University of Birmingham, said: ‘Women who carry the BRCA1 gene are currently advised to have their ovaries removed by the time they are 40; whilst carriers of the BRCA2 gene are advised to have them removed no later than 50.
‘This procedure normally includes removal of the fallopian tubes.

‘There may be certain situations whereby removal of the fallopian tube at an earlier age than that recommended for the ovaries be deemed appropriate – but there is a need to investigate this further.’

Angelina Jolie’s proactive measures have taken on a much more urgent tone following the death of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, this year. Bertrand, also an accomplished actress, perished of ovarian cancer at the relatively young age of 56. So it comes as no surprise that Angelina Jolie has determined to do everything in her power to remove the risk of dying in the same manner.

On The Web:
Angelina Jolie Will Have Ovaries Removed to Lower Chances of Cancer: Report
ttp://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/05/15/angelina-jolie-will-have-ovaries-removed-to-lower-chances-of-cancer-report