Breast cancer fears touch so many lives, family histories, routine scans, and that nagging worry about risks we can't see. Preventive choices like surgery spark endless debates: too drastic or smart a move? Angelina Jolie just opened up about her double mastectomy scars in a raw TIME France interview, sharing photos 12 years after the surgery. The Oscar winner, known for bold roles in Lara Croft and Maleficent, chose preventive removal of both breasts in 2013 after learning she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation.
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Angelina Jolie’s Experience of Double Mastectomy
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Facing an 87% breast cancer risk, she acted to slash it below 5%, all for her kids' peace of mind. Now 50, she's baring the marks to connect with other women, spark talks on screening, and push for equal access to care. Her story still shifts how we view high-risk choices.
Jolie told TIME France she shares these scars "with many women I cherish." She got emotional seeing others go public too. "I wanted to connect with them," she said, tying it to breast health info in the piece. No regret, just gratitude. It's out December 18, photos and all. Fans praise her for normalising tough paths, calling it the "Angelina Effect" reloaded.
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Angelina Jolie’s Timeline of Double Mastectomy
Jolie's path unfolded step by step, blending science and heart.
- 2013, February-March: Tests confirm BRCA1 mutation after mom Marcheline Bertrand dies of ovarian cancer at 56. Lifetime breast risk: 87%. Docs map a plan.
- March 27: Finishes nipple-sparing double mastectomy at Pink Lotus Breast Centre, LA. Three stages over weeks.
- May 14: Pens "My Medical Choice" NYT op-ed, exploding awareness, testing surges 2x.
- 2015: Oophorectomy (ovaries out) drops ovarian risk to near zero.
- 2025: Shares scars publicly, starring in Couture as a filmmaker facing breast cancer.
Each move personal, not easy.
What a Preventive Double Mastectomy Really Means
A preventive, or prophylactic, double mastectomy involves removing breast tissue to significantly lower cancer risk. In one of our previous articles, Dr Nanda Rajneesh, General Laparoscopic Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bangalore, explained double mastectomy, also known as a bilateral mastectomy, as the surgical removal of both breasts. It is often recommended when cancer is present in both breasts or when there is a high genetic or clinical risk of recurrence. The procedure can be life-saving, significantly reducing the risk of cancer returning by 1% to 3%. It does not guarantee that cancer will never occur, but it can reduce the risk by up to 90–95% in high-risk individuals.
Doctors often recommend it only for people with:
- Strong family history of breast cancer
- Known genetic mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Very high lifetime cancer risk
- Jolie has consistently highlighted that this option is deeply personal and should only be considered with professional guidance.
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Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s journey with preventive double mastectomy is not just about surgery. It’s about knowledge, choice, and long-term health. By revisiting her decision publicly, she continues to remind women that understanding their bodies and risks can be empowering, not frightening.
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Current Version
Dec 18, 2025 15:40 IST
Published By : Vivek Kumar