Angelina Jolie Double Mastectomy: Actress Had Surgery to Prevent Breast Cancer

Angelina Jolie revealed that she had a double mastectomy in a New York Times op-ed. She discovered she had the gene that has an increased risk for breast cancer, with a nearly 90% chance of her being diagnosed with breast cancer and a lower, but still high, chance of ovarian cancer. Well, I say congratulations to Angelina Jolie for making this hard, but smart decision.

If you're at risk or if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, why would you even care at that point about your breasts? I guess that's easy for me to say because I'm not a woman, but I do have a connection to this cancer type.

My great grandmother had breast cancer multiple times. She's still alive and as energetic as she has always been, at the age of 92. My grandmothers sister, my great aunt, succumbed to breast cancer. I was young when she died, but I remember her bright personality. Auntie Ducky, as we called her, would bring us bags of candy every time we visited her. I miss that.

Another family member of mine just had a mastectomy after having breast cancer for a second time. This family member of mine is truly one of the nicest people on Earth. She is so strong and sensible, and luckily she caught the disease early on.

This is coming from someone who has been greatly affected by the disease ... Everyone should think about the risk of breast cancer. Thinking about a mastectomy may be extreme for some, but always remember to get your yearly mammogram and all other preventative measures. I, along with your family and friends, want you to be around for a long time! So, follow Angelina Jolie's example and be smart.

She will always be a beautiful woman. Your features don't define you, but your life does. This saved her life. Be aware, take preventative measures and take action so you can be here for as long as you were intended to be.

Click here for information regarding preventative measures and early detection.