Angelina Jolie revealed to The New York Times
that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy back in April after
she learned that she was at high risk for both breast and ovarian
cancer. Now, Hollywood is standing behind the 37-year-old mother-of-six,
with everyone from Giuliana Rancic to Elizabeth Banks speaking out in
support of Jolie.
Having lost her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, to
breast cancer and knowing the pain of such a loss, Jolie said she did
not want her kids to ever have to suffer like she did. "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," Jolie writes in an op-ed piece.
"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."
Jolie
said she decided to open up about the surgery because she wanted to
educate and empower other women who might be at risk to do the same. The
Girl, Interrupted actress will be joining the likes of Christina Applegate, Sharon Osbourne, Wanda Sykes, Kathy Bates, Montel Williams and Giuliana Rancic who all have undergone double mastectomies.
As
word spread of the actress' decision to have the preventive surgery,
celebrities took to Twitter to show their support. Among the tweets
includes TV host Giuliana Rancic, 38, who underwent a double mastectomy
in December 2012 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in October
2011.
The E! beauty opened up to Glamour magazine about her recovery shortly after the surgery.
"At
first I didn't want to look in the mirror, because I felt like, 'I'm
getting better every day and this is about my health, so I shouldn't get
bogged down by what I see in the mirror?'" she told the magazine. "I
knew I wasn't going to look like a bikini model, so why look? Why even
put the image in my head."
Here's what a number of other celebs had to say:
Kristen Bell: "An admirable op ed by Angelina Jolie."
Mindy Kaling: "@nytopinion: Angelina Jolie on why she had a double mastectomy, and how it can save lives, a must-read for women!"
Giuliana Rancic: "Angelina Jolie reveals double mastectomy.
Proud of her for using her incredible platform to educate women:
http://nyti.ms/19l8bbZ."
Amanda de Cadenet "Brave decision. @nytopinion: Angelina Jolie on why she had a double mastectomy, and how it can save lives: http://nyti.ms/19l8bbZ"
Richard Roeper: "Support and prayers for Angelina and all women faced with that unimaginably tough choice. #brave"
Rob Delaney: "My friend did this too. RT @nytopinion: Angelina Jolie on why she had double mastectomy & how it can save lives: http://nyti.ms/19l8bbZ"
Nia Vardalos: "A moment of quiet respect for Angelina Jolie's candor and all women's bravery in facing this choice."
Marlee Matlin: "Brave, honest, strong. Angelina Jolie gets a double mastectomy. Agree with @niavardalos - quiet respect for her."
Dr Drew: Very courageous RT @MicahNR: @drdrew @Loveline @MikeCatherwood MT Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy."
Soleil Moon Frye: "My Medical Choice by Angelina Jolie. Read this,re-tweet it, share it with friends & family. Awareness can save lives."
Bret Hedican: "Wow, Angelina Jolie, beautiful & brave! #inspirational."
David Krumholtz: "Now, Angelina Jolie truly is the most beautiful woman in the world."
Adam Shankman: "Beautiful and brave article by #angelinajolie #cancerprevention My Medical Choice."
Leave your words of support for Jolie, below.
Source etonline.com