In this morning’s New York Times, Angelina Jolie details her most recent medical procedure: Doctors have removed her Fallopian tubes and both ovaries. One of them had a small benign tumor.
Jolie writes (quote) “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.’” It has taken three close relatives, including Jolie’s mother in 2007.
Angelina, 39, scheduled the surgery following an elevated result in a blood test. However, a follow-up revealed she did not have a (quote) “full-blown tumor.” An early-stage cancer was still possible. Jolie carries the BRCA1 gene mutation that is linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
Two years ago, Jolie opted for a preemptive double mastectomy. That was superficial, as compared to removing her ovaries, which would guarantee the onset of menopause. She has taken measures with hormone replacement therapy.
