Cancer Expert: Angelina Jolie Did The Right Thing
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Angelina Jolie, in a New York Times Opinion Editorial Piece, made another health revelation—she underwent surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. A move, she says, is another form of cancer prevention.
Dr. Brian Slomovitz is an ovarian cancer expert at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center who leads the early detection clinic in Miami. He said Jolie's surgery was absolutely the right thing for her to do.
"The current recommendations are for women at the age of 40, or once they complete childbearing, to have a risk-reduction surgery with removal of tubes and ovaries if they have a BCRA mutation," said Dr. Slomovitz.
Jolie lost her mother, grandmother, and aunt to cancer. The actress said her latest surgery was just another form of prevention.
Jolie, in the op-ed piece, detailed her surgery, which she had last week.
"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."
Two years ago Jolie had a preventative double mastectomy after a blood test revealed she carried a mutation in the "BRCA1" gene.
Her latest surgery happened after a blood test revealed she had a number of inflammatory markers that were elevated. Together, they could have been a sign of early cancer.
"It is not possible to remove all risk, and the fact is…I remain prone to cancer," said Jolie. She went on to say, "I know my children will never have to say, 'Mom died of ovarian cancer."
Gretchen Gettis, of Avenutra, had the same surgery a week ago. But hers wasn't a preventative measure for the future, but rather one to save her life. She hopes others will get tested for the gene that puts people at risk for cancer.
"My advice to anyone who has the BRC mutation I would suggest a basic doctor at light speed as fast as humanly possible get the doctors opinion what they have and take care of it immediately," said Gettis.
After her surgery doctors found a small benign tumor on one of Jolie's ovaries but there were no signs of cancer in any of the tissues.
Meanwhile, Dr. Slomovitz warns when you're looking at your medical history, it's important to look at the men in your family as well, because men carry TGST genetic mutation.
For more information about ovarian cancer, click here. Also, women who want more information about the Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Clinic at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center can email ovariancancer@med.miami.edu or call 305-243-7242 to reach a nurse navigator.