In these abridged extracts from her New York Times article, Angelina Jolie describes the emotional and physical journey that has surrounded her surgery
On being told she urgently needed to see a cancer surgeon: “I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt. I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn”t live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren.
“I called my husband [Brad Pitt] in France, who was on a plane within hours. The beautiful thing about such moments in life is that there is so much clarity. You know what you live for and what matters. It is polarising, and it is peaceful.”
On making the decision to have her ovaries removed: “I did not do this solely because I carry the BRCA1 gene mutation, and I want other women to hear this. A positive BRCA test does not mean a leap to surgery.
“I have spoken to many doctors, surgeons and naturopaths. There are other options. Some women take birth control pills or rely on alternative medicines combined with frequent checks. There is more than one way to deal with any health issue. The most important thing is to learn about the options and choose what is right for you personally.”
On her forced menopause: “Regardless of the hormone replacements I”m taking, I am now in menopause. I will not be able to have any more children, and I expect some physical changes.
“But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life. It is nothing to be feared.
“I feel deeply for women for whom this moment comes very early in life, before they have had their children. Their situation is far harder than mine.
“I inquired and found out that there are options for women to remove their fallopian tubes but keep their ovaries, and so retain the ability to bear children and not go into menopause. I hope they can be aware of that.
“It is not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue.
“You can seek advice, learn about the options and make choices that are right for you. Knowledge is power.”
On how her family history has affected her: “On top of the BRCA gene, three women in my family have died from cancer.
“My doctors indicated I should have preventive surgery about a decade before the earliest onset of cancer in my female relatives. My mother”s ovarian cancer was diagnosed when she was 49. I”m 39.”