Facing a high probability of developing breast cancer, Angelina Jolie makes the brave decision to have a double mastectomy.

Angelina Jolie has made a brave decision regarding her health. The Oscar-winning actress revealed that she recently underwent a double mastectomy surgery after discovering the likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer had increased. “We often speak of “Mommy’s mommy,” and I find myself trying to explain the illness that took her away from us. They have asked if the same could happen to me. I have always told them not to worry, but the truth is I carry a “faulty” gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer,” Jolie said in her column she wrote for The New York Times announcing her decision. Jolie went on to state that her doctors informed her she had an 87% chance of breast cancer but following her surgery her chances have dropped below 5%.

Jolie’s heartfelt column went into the details regarding her surgery and wanted to share her story with other women in hopes to spread positivity and knowledge about the decision. “I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options.” Jolie continues “Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.”

You can read her entire column at The New York Times.

Ben Lester (bjams11)