Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie announced in New York Times that she underwent double mastectomy to avoid developing breast and ovarian cancer. Medical experts told her that she had 87 per cent chance of developing cancer if left unattended.

Angelina Jolie inherited a mutation of BRCA1 gene, possibly from her mother who died of breast cancer 10 years ago.

"My doctors estimated that I had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy," the actress told the New York Times.

Mastectomy is an operation for the removal of some or all parts of the breast, mainly used to prevent or treat breast cancer.

"I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 per cent to under 5 percent," Jolie added.

Causes of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that originates from breast tissues which occurs in humans and other mammals. Majority of breast cancer patients are females but it can also occur in males.

There are several causes of breast cancer and it includes genetic inheritance, smoking, diet, radiation, chemical exposure or other medical conditions. Some other factors are still debatable such as oral contraceptive use and abortion.

Genetic Factor

Genetics is the most common primary cause of breast cancer in 5 to 10 per cent in all cases. Usually, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation accounts for up to 90 per cent of total genetic influences breast cancer with risk chance of 60 to 80 per cent.

How to Determine if You Have Breast Cancer

Self-examination is one way a woman can do to find out if she has one. Breast cancer usually begins with a lump growing inside the breast which can be felt during examination. If ever there is, it is advised to consult a physician to have an exact diagnosis of whether it is cancerous or something else.

Management and Treatment

There are several treatments used for breast cancer depending on various factors affecting the patient and the progression of the disease.

  • Mastectomy: Removal of the breast.
  • Quadrantectomy: Removal of one quarter of the breast.
  • Lumpectomy: Removal of a small part of the breast.
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone blocking therapy for hormones causing breast cancer.
  • Monoclonal Antibodies for suppressing abnormal cell reproduction.
  • Radiotherapy

Prognosis and Survival

Survival from breast cancer is classified depending on the stage of cancer, tumour size, and location, expansion to other organ system, grade level, age and health of the patient.

Angelina Jolie had the first of the three procedures on Feb 2, 2013, and the major surgery removed her breast tissue, but temporary fillers were put in place two weeks later. Nine weeks after she had breast implants, and the results are beautiful. Her husband, Brad Pitt was by her side for every minute during all three procedures.

"I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition," Angelina Jolie wrote in My Medical Choice.