Hollywood star Angelina Jolie recently revealed that she has got her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed over fears of cancer risk.
Jolie already had a double mastectomy a couple of years ago after finding from medical tests that she was at a high risk of developing breast cancer. Previously, Jolie had also revealed that her mother, maternal aunt and maternal grandmother suffered from cancer and also lost their life to the disease.
In May 2013, Jolie announced that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy in February 2013. Jolie revealed that she opted for the surgery after doctors told her that the she has 87 percent risk of developing breast cancer and 50 percent risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Jolie writes about her ovaries removal cancer surgery in a New York Times op-ed. Jolie revealed that she was preparing for the surgery soon after knowing about her cancer risk.
"I had been planning this for some time. It is a less complex surgery than the mastectomy, but its effects are more severe," writes Jolie.
Jolie was aware that the removal of ovaries will put her into forced menopause. The actress was preparing herself for the surgery both emotionally and physically. Jolie was also discussing about the effects of the surgery with her doctors, who advised that some medical tests revealed Jolie was at risk of getting early cancer.
Jolie informed Brad Pitt, her husband, who was in France and within a few hours he was on a plane back to the U.S.
"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," added Jolie.
Jolie visited the surgeon who had operated on her mother and got her ovaries checked. Jolie underwent a PET/CT scan but the test results were negative and did not trace any tumors.
Medical experts suggest that getting the ovaries removed is not the only option to escape from ovarian cancer. Alternate medicine along with frequent checks may also help early detection and treatment of the disease. However, Jolie opted to get her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.
Jolie's announcement about her double mastectomy increased the number of breast cancer check-ups. A previous report revealed that in June and July 2013, two months following Jolie's announcement about the double mastectomy, the number of breast cancer check-ups in the U.K. increased 2.5 times in comparison to the same period of 2012.
Jolie is motivating women to take control if they find they are at risk of cancer. Jolie encourages women to seek medical advice and learn about the available options so that they can take the best possible solution.
Photo: Gage Skidmore | Flickr
