Angelina Jolie and Breast Cancer

I had been left speechless after reading an article on Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy.  I think this article needs to be shared and for my spiritual friends to be discussed.  Here is the article:

“MY MOTHER fought cancer for almost a decade and died at 56. She held out long enough to meet the first of her grandchildren and to hold them in her arms. But my other children will never have the chance to know her and experience how loving and gracious she was.  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. My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman. Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65 percent risk of getting it, on average. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex. On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work. But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action. My own process began on Feb. 2 with a procedure known as a “nipple delay,” which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area. This causes some pain and a lot of bruising, but it increases the chance of saving the nipple. Two weeks later I had the major surgery, where the breast tissue is removed and temporary fillers are put in place. The operation can take eight hours. You wake up with drain tubes and expanders in your breasts. It does feel like a scene out of a science-fiction film. But days after surgery you can be back to a normal life. Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful. I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer. It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that’s it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was. And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can. On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.  I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition. Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries. We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has.  For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options. 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. I acknowledge that there are many wonderful holistic doctors working on alternatives to surgery. My own regimen will be posted in due course on the Web site of the Pink Lotus Breast Center. I hope that this will be helpful to other women.  Breast cancer alone kills some 458,000 people each year, according to the World Health Organization, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. It has got to be a priority to ensure that more women can access gene testing and lifesaving preventive treatment, whatever their means and background, wherever they live. The cost of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, at more than $3,000 in the United States, remains an obstacle for many women.  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.  Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.”

Of course after Angelina’s long frightening article, there is the fan mail to share.  Here are only a few fan mails:

“Judy, Los Angeles

As I am nearing 40 with the BRCA gene, I have been trying to decide when not if. I have not had the courage to face the mastectomy concept, I am just trying to decide on the hysterectomy. Thank you so much for the article. Angelina Jolie is the world's icon of a beautiful woman, so when she has the courage to do something like that and share it with the world, then, the simple press and exposure helps the rest of the BRCA carriers to be viewed as less "extreme" when we do face the decision to do life altering and possibly life changing surgeries.

When people hear about me doing something, they may be more like, "Oh yeah, I have heard about people doing that before" as opposed to, "That's crazy talk." I can't say thank you enough. “

“Susie, San francisco, CA

One of the most powerful Op-Ed pieces that I have read. It really brings home to me just how important it is to be tested for the BRCA1 gene.

My Mother had breast cancer and I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer ten years ago. There are many people who look at you with pity because you lose your breast/breasts to this terrible disease. But I discovered that life goes on and with a good partner love goes on as well.

Going public is the best gift that you can give another woman in this situation. I have always admired you. You are a strong woman and a wonderful role model for your beautiful children.”

“Kellie (Bam Bam) - Pleasanton, CA

Breast cancer has been a taboo subject for far too long. I've been so vocal since my diagnosis, while many others I knew fighting the same battle remained silent (because of either shame or embarrassment).

At 38 years old, with no family history, my cancer diagnosis came out of left field. I was already at Stage II by the time I found this life threatening lump. Why didn't I know that breast cancer could strike even those who don't have a history in their families? And why didn't I know that some women get this disease before the age of 40? Because I was ignorant. Why aren't more of us unabashed about educating society about this disease?

There are preventive measures we can take. We need to be proactive about our bodies and understand that if we have any genetic mutations, we can be more diligent about getting our tests performed. Education is key. No one should have to grieve for a loved one lost before their lifetime is lived. Technology and medical advancements is a gift we have access to and charities and donations are gifts we can give to those who do not have the luxuries of paying for imaging and scans. We can help each other by standing up and talking about it - and being outspoken - and not hiding in a corner because society tells us to be ashamed.

Kudos to this courageous woman for bringing the BRCA1 genetic testing subject to light. Many lives will be saved because of this. “

“david 7680 - southwest

Bravo to you Ms. Jolie - and to all of the anonymous, courageous women who have gone through this procedure. I have a dear friend who also underwent proactive mastectomy for the same reason. She is doing very well and no longer has nightmares - and her children are very grateful. Thanks for sharing this with us. “

My two cents worth:  WOW!!!!!  Is this for real?  Have we actually become that frightened and brain-washed?  Do we think that by removing our breasts and ovaries, we have dodged cancer?  Really?  Have we not been seeing any of the many articles on cancer and why our beautiful bodies behave as they do and why the cancer comes about?  Have we not heard about the fact that the genes don’t rule our destiny anymore and epigenetic research and what we knew of them is old wives tale?  Do we not know that the cancer cells are present almost everywhere in our bodies and can be activated? Are we ready to remove all organs next? 

I am truly amazed at what I have read that words cannot describe.  Even worse than Angelina’s decision is the suggestion that she is putting out there to frighten the pants off all women to go and have their parts removed and have them replaced with fake ones which have caused many cancers on their own.  She goes further to let us know that “we have a choice”.  Stranger yet, we have ladies and gents out there, congratulating the idea….LOL

My plea to all the ladies out there:  Ladies, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, spend a little bit of your busy time to understand the effects of your living environment on your cells and their structure.  Spend time to get to know yourself inside out.  Find out the effects of fear on your bodies.  Find out what “fighting” can bring about and what resistance can do. 
Read about the new findings on genes and cancer and all other ailments.  Find out about the emotional issues behind ailments.  Before you cut yourselves into pieces in the fear of some disease, find out what makes a cell to behave that way.

I encourage you to spend this time on yourself.  Cancer is not the monster the media has made it to be.  Please spend the time. I cherish and appreciate your feedback.

Live in Light!

EL