Hollywood Actress Angelina Jolie undergoes a double mastectomy

Actress Angelina Jolie spoke out today at a news conference in America about her decision to undergo a double mastectomy. The 37-year old Hollywood actress and mother of six said she
took this step in response to a medical investigation which confirmed she had a high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

The actress confirmed that she carried a 'faulty' gene, BRCA1, which sharply increased her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer". She explained that following a family history of breast of cancer – (her mother fought cancer for nearly a decade and died at the age of 56) that she had to make a decision about her health.

She said her doctors estimated she had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. 

Writing in the New York Times, Ms Jolie said the process began in February and was completed by the end of April. She thanked her husband Bread Pitt for standing by her throughout the procedure.

Her chances of developing breast cancer have now dropped from 87% to under 5%, she said.

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Hollywood Actress Angelina Jolie undergoes a double mastectomy