Angelina Jolie reveals she had preventive double mastectomy
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- Published on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:46
- Written by Fox News
Angelina Jolie reveals she had preventive double mastectomy after discovering cancer gene.Angelina Jolie says she underwent a preventive double mastectomy earlier this year after learning she carries a gene that increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.In a New York Times op-ed published late Monday, the 37-year-old Academy Award winner writes that after genetic testing she learned she carries the "faulty" BRCA1 gene. The risk of developing cancer due to the gene varies, but Jolie says doctors estimated she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer. Jolie, whose mother died from cancer, says she decided to have the preventive mastectomy to be "proactive" for the sake of her six children with her partner, Brad Pitt."My mother fought cancer for almost a decade and died at 56," Jolie writes. "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."She said she has kept the process private so far, but wrote about with hopes of helping other women."I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy," she writes. "But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."
She is anything but private in the details she provides, giving a step-by-step description of the procedures. She writes that between early February and late April she completed three months of surgical procedures to remove both breasts."My own process began on Feb. 2 with a procedure known as a `nipple delay,"' she writes, "which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area."She then describes the major surgery two weeks later where breast tissue was removed, saying it felt "like a scene out of a science-fiction film," then writes that nine weeks later she had a third surgery to reconstruct the breasts and receive implants."Many women have chosen preventive mastectomy since genetic screening for breast cancer was developed, but the move and public announcement is unprecedented from a star so young and widely known as Jolie.She briefly addresses the effects of the surgery on the idealized sexuality and iconic womanhood that have fueled her fame."I do not feel any less of a woman," Jolie writes. "I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."She also wrote that Brad Pitt, her partner of eight years, was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Southern California for "every minute of the surgeries."Jolie, daughter of Hollywood luminary Jon Voight, has appeared in dozens of films including 2010's "The Tourist" and "Salt," the "Tomb Raider" films, and 1999's "Girl, Interrupted," for which she won an Academy Award.But she has appeared more often in the news in recent years for her power coupling with Pitt and her charitable work with refugees as a United Nations ambassador.
Angelina Jolie's Brother, James Haven, Speaks Out Against Child Abuse
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- Published on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 04:23
- Written by E online
It appears that humanitarian efforts are in the family genes.Angelina Jolie's brother, James Haven, wrote an article about child-abuse issues on The Huffington Post today.The 40-year-old actor serves as the honorary Senior Advisor on Global Issues at Harvard and is the founder of the CoreCause Foundation—which aims to deal with "the world's causes from a preventative rather than recovery standpoint."In his post, titled We the People, Haven touches on the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and supplies facts about children's drug use and mental health in the country today."Child abuse and neglect in America is growing at a very high rate," he explained. "But I have good news.. Justice is coming!"Jolie's brother then goes on to motivate readers to set an example and demand that changes be made to the increasingly disturbing patterns of child issues throughout the country.He may have some big shoes to fill as a brother to Hollywood royalty, but he's already fulfilling the part!
Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie Named Most Powerful Moms on Working Mother List
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- Published on Thursday, 09 May 2013 10:41
- Written by E online
Women run the world!Working Mother has released its top 50 picks for the Most Powerful Moms of 2013, and some of Hollywood's most famous names have made the cut.Singers Jessica Simpson and Gwen Stefani joined the ranks of business executives and best-selling authors due to their multitasking in both the music and fashion industries, Us Weekly first reported. Both proud mamas have built an empire for themselves through their apparel and accessory lines.Beyoncé also appeared on the prestigious list. The "Crazy in Love" singer's tireless work ethic and grueling schedule while balancing the birth of her daughter Blue Ivy last year is a feat that's nothing short of heroic.Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie's constant juggling between six kids, an acting career and humanitarian efforts around the world didn't go unnoticed. The UN Ambassador was honored for her influential political and charitable work.Other multitasking mothers who made the list were Tina Fey, Jennifer Lopez, Katie Couric and Mariah Carey.
Oh no, Brad Pitt! Angelina Jolie tattoos not allowed
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- Published on Sunday, 05 May 2013 09:51
- Written by Now Magazine
Brad Pitt tells kids no tattoos like mum Angelina Jolie.Brad Pitt, 49, has always disagreed with Angelina Jolie, 37, about letting their kids wear fake tattoos, for fear they'd want the real deal like him and Ange.Now his fears have come true as Maddox, 11, and Pax, nine, are begging for ink.We hear the answer is a flat no.Maybe Brad has bad memories of some of Ange's tattoos. She had the name of ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton covered up after getting together with Brad.‘Angelina covered up my name. I'm sure Brad doesn't want to look at my name every night,' Billy Bob, 55, said.
Jennifer Aniston ‘wedding planning on hold’ because of Brangelina
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- Published on Thursday, 02 May 2013 12:01
- Written by NY Post
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are reportedly delaying their nuptials in order to avoid a possible overlap with her ex-husband Brad Pitt’s big day with fiancée Angelina Jolie."She does not want her day associated with them," an insider told Us Weekly.According to the source, the “Friends” star, who divorced Pitt in 2005, considered getting married before the Brangelina ceremony, but her screenwriter beau "got weirded out by all the rushing."The insider added that the 44-year-old actress has even put her wedding planning completely on hold: "Nothing has happened on that front in a month.”Us Weekly reports that Aniston’s busy work schedule has prevented her from moving forward with plans for the wedding, as she just finished filming the “Untitled Elmore Leonard Project” and has been occupied with redecorating her $21 million Bel Air home with Theroux."She has been cranky from this stress," the insider said to Us. "Justin's never seen her like this."Despite the new report, Aniston appeared to be in good spirits last night when she hit the red carpet in Hollywood for a Self magazine party celebrate yoga instructor Mandy Ingber’s new book, “Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover.”Aniston, who credits her trim physique to yoga, showed off her stunning figure in a low-cut little black dress at the event. She accessorized her look with a few thin bracelets and her giant engagement ring from her fiancé.