Women With Early-stage Breast Cancer In One Breast Prefer Angelina Jolie inspired Double Mastectomies

• comments
• 
• 

Women nowadays with early-stage breast cancer favored double mastectomies even though only one of their breasts is affected. A team of researchers believed that this is an Angelina Jolie-inspired idea.

The Hollywood actress has been diagnosed with BRCA-1 cancer gene that is 87 percent more likely to develop into breast cancer. Many people were surprised when the “Maleficent” lead star announced in 2013 that she chose double mastectomies to reduce her risk of getting the condition.

Women aged 20 to 44 suffering from early-stage breast cancer are more probably to decide on double mastectomies, the study published in the journal JAMA Surgery noted. This group of patients still chooses their two breasts to be removed even though one of their breasts is still healthy.

According to Reuters, 49 percent of breast cancer female patients in South Dakota settled on double mastectomies between 2010 and 2012. On the other hand, only 15 percent of women in the District of Columbia chose the procedure during the same period.

Other women with breast cancer aged 20 to 44 have also more than 40 percent cases of double mastectomies. It includes states such as Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, and Tennessee.

“One factor that could contribute to the increase is this desire for symmetry,” Ahmedin Jemal, the senior author of the study said. He is also a vice president of Surveillance and Health Services Research in the American Cancer Society.

Furthermore, Jemal stated that the influence of Angelina Jolie contributed to the increasing rate of double mastectomies. In fact, the actress’ decision of dual breast removal helps raised breast cancer awareness.

“(Jolie) was diagnosed with the BRCA-1 cancer gene that mutation that causes breast cancer, and she had a double mastectomy, so that was covered widely in the media. For women diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast, there is no evidence to suggest to remove the unaffected breast,” he added.