Angelina Jolie has had a double mastectomy

The actress has revealed that she underwent the surgery in a bid to prevent breast cancer

By Nicole Hamer |

11:08 14 May 2013

Angelina Jolie, the 37-year-old American actress, has revealed that she has had a double mastectomy. The star, whose partner is Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, told The New York Times the reason as to why she underwent surgery.

 

Angelina revealed that the double mastectomy was carried out in order to minimize her chances of getting breast cancer.

 

In The New York Timesarticle My Medical Choice, Angelina wrote: “I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could”.

 

She explained that her family history reflected cases of cancer, as her mother died at 56 from the disease.

 

Reportedly, the actress said doctors claimed she had roughly an 87per cent risk of getting breast cancer. Now, this risk has dropped massively to less than 5per cent, Angelina wrote.

 

It is believed that a programme for her started early this year and lasted a few months.

 

The reason for Angelina revealing her double mastectomy is understood to be because the star wants to prompt other females to act on the matter.

 

She said: “I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices."

 

Earlier this year, in April, Angelina attended a G8 meeting in London, which was in regards to making sexual violence in conflict known.

 

She has six children with Brad, three of whom are adopted. Angelina has won an Academy Award, Golden Globe Awards and an Oscar Award among others.

 

She is well-known for her role as Lara Croft of Tomb Raider – the popular video game that became a film.