Actress Angelina Jolie has had a double mastectomy.<br/> <br />She wrote in the New York times that she discovered she carried a gene mutation that increases the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.<br/> <br />She said this discovery and her mother's death from cancer at 56 lead her to make the decision.<br/> <br />Her doctor estimated she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer. She said once she realised that was her reality, she decided to be proactive and minimize her risk.<br/> <br />After the operation the risk dropped to 5 percent.<br/> <br />Jolie underwent three months of surgical procedures, which were completed at the end of April and included breast reconstruction.<br/> <br />She said now she could tell her children they did not need to fear losing her to breast cancer.<br/> <br />Jolie chose to reveal her decision to encourage other women to get tested and make informed choices.<br/> <br />In the editorial, she thanked her partner, Brad Pitt for his love and support, who was at her side throughout.
