Angelina Jolie, writing under Angelina Jolie Pitt, has published a second piece on the New York Times Op- Ed page about her cancer fears. She has had her ovaries removed, following the revelation a year ago of a double mastectomy. She will not be able to have more children biologically. She and Brad Pitt have three biological children and three whom they adopted.
Angelina writes: Last week, I had the procedure: a laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. There was a small benign tumor on one ovary, but no signs of cancer in any of the tissues.
I have a little clear patch that contains bio-identical estrogen. A progesterone IUD was inserted in my uterus. It will help me maintain a hormonal balance, but more important it will help prevent uterine cancer. I chose to keep my uterus because cancer in that location is not part of my family history.
It is not possible to remove all risk, and the fact is I remain prone to cancer. I will look for natural ways to strengthen my immune system. I feel feminine, and grounded in the choices I am making for myself and my family. I know my children will never have to say, “Mom died of ovarian cancer.”
Angelina’s brave essay does two things– stops rumors and tabloid stories, and helps women all over the world.
