Angelina Jolie- double mastectomy
I read this at work this morning because it was "cancer" related and my Wellness Center is an accredited cancer hospital. Let me just say that I applaud Angelina Jolie for doing something that seems unfathomable for a female with no sign of breast cancer to do...........................work on prevention by having the mastectomies. The procedure takes her from an 87% chance for breast cancer to now a less than 5% chance.
It's important because we're talking about one of the most recognized beautiful women on Earth (IMO) and lots of females aspire to be like her. For her to choose health and life over looks and vanity, which is a Hollywood staple and envied by many, is a step in the right direction. She did admit it was a hard decision, but nonetheless she chose the right route IMO.
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It's important because we're talking about one of the most recognized beautiful women on Earth (IMO) and lots of females aspire to be like her. For her to choose health and life over looks and vanity, which is a Hollywood staple and envied by many, is a step in the right direction. She did admit it was a hard decision, but nonetheless she chose the right route IMO.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Replies
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Boobs or no boobs, she is still an amazing person imho and very beautiful. I probably would have done the same if I were in her situation and I had the money for it.
Plus, I have a friend that has Stage 3 breast cancer right now and she is my age, 26. So kinda hits close to home in a way.0 -
I found it somewhat funny that she identified her partner by name. We know who he is.0
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I kinda agree... but at the same time, she has the means to do it and get reconstruction right away. Since it is an elective surgery not covered by insurance, most women won't be able to follow suit.
I would do it in a heart beat, and end up with better boobs.. hell yeah.. but I couldn't afford it or the time off of work to recover or the childcare/household help I would need.0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.0
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And then there's people like this who make me question my faith in humanity--> http://cocojigglypuff.tumblr.com/post/50433917944/sad-teeth-so-today-angelina-jolie-had-double0
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Apparently the Caner Act of 1998 states that insurance companies have to cover reconstruction if they cover the mastectomy.
And I think a lot of companies will cover an elective mastectomy if you test positive for the jean as it'd save them a lot of money compared to treating the breast cancer (I don't have any facts for this, just friends saying their friends were covered).
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/PreventiveSurgery.html
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/7583090 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
I don't believe she did this for your admiration.
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Breasts aren't needed to sustain life. She could have done alternative therapies, but chose mastectomy. And some insurance companies do cover preventive surgery options.I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
I don't believe she did this for your admiration.
^QFT. also, many non-celebrities, aka regular women, with the BRCA genes are doing this now. yes, it may be radical, but it is their choice, and if it decreases the chances of getting breast cancer, then more power to them.0 -
Meh.
There are thousands of women that do this ever year...0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
OR if you get rid of the bitterness in your life, you could see that it reminds people that celebrities are still human and that she had the courage to go through with a surgery that would possibly question her "femininity", as breasts are pretty much associated with being feminine. If I had the cash to "return to my fabulous" self after doing something like that, I would too. Are you saying she shouldn't have because it's not fair to other people who aren't as wealthy? Do you resent all wealthy people just because you don't have the money they do?
Also, she put her children first and went through several surgeries to better her chances of being around for them longer than what might not have been had she not done the surgeries and developed breast cancer. I think that is commendable.0 -
I'd gleefully do what she did if I could afford it.0
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I'd still plow her.0
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I love this woman. I couldn't have said it better myself.I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
OR if you get rid of the bitterness in your life, you could see that it reminds people that celebrities are still human and that she had the courage to go through with a surgery that would possibly question her "femininity", as breasts are pretty much associated with being feminine. If I had the cash to "return to my fabulous" self after doing something like that, I would too. Are you saying she shouldn't have because it's not fair to other people who aren't as wealthy? Do you resent all wealthy people just because you don't have the money they do?
Also, she put her children first and went through several surgeries to better her chances of being around for them longer than what might not have been had she not done the surgeries and developed breast cancer. I think that is commendable.0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
Let me call her and see if she cares what you think....0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
I don't believe she did this for your admiration.
^QFT. also, many non-celebrities, aka regular women, with the BRCA genes are doing this now. yes, it may be radical, but it is their choice, and if it decreases the chances of getting breast cancer, then more power to them.
I don't admire her for having the surgery done. That was just smart thinking. I do admire her for taking the time to write about her experience and share it with the world through the NYT. My wife and I read the article this morning, and A.J.'s surgeries and experiences were very similar to what my wife went through, though my wife was diagnosed and had a lumpectomy and chemotherapy done before finally deciding to go ahead with the double mastectomy. She unfortunately has the same gene mutation. We're not exactly celebrity followers but A.J. did, through the NYT, what many women on MFP do regularly, share her experiences with others. I think that does help.
Oh, and editing to add that many insurance coverages do pay for this if the woman has this gene mutation. Ours covered it along with the reconstructive surgery.0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
Let me call her and see if she cares what you think....
Then text me her number....0 -
I'd actually seen something about this too; her body, her choice.
The article I read however said that her genetic test probably way over-estimated her actual chance of getting breast cancer.0 -
Yes, they have to cover the masectomy and reconstruction. I should know going through this now at 36 yrs old.. so there is no excuse not to get checked and to do what you need to do to stay healthy, because as long as you have insurance it will be covered. I also believe that in some cases elective is covered if you have the gene.0
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And also this.I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
I don't believe she did this for your admiration.
^QFT. also, many non-celebrities, aka regular women, with the BRCA genes are doing this now. yes, it may be radical, but it is their choice, and if it decreases the chances of getting breast cancer, then more power to them.
I don't admire her for having the surgery done. That was just smart thinking. I do admire her for taking the time to write about her experience and share it with the world through the NYT. My wife and I read the article this morning, and A.J.'s surgeries and experiences were very similar to what my wife went through, though my wife was diagnosed and had a lumpectomy and chemotherapy done before finally deciding to go ahead with the double mastectomy. She unfortunately has the same gene mutation. We're not exactly celebrity followers but A.J. did, through the NYT, what many women on MFP do regularly, share her experiences with others. I think that does help.0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
OR if you get rid of the bitterness in your life, you could see that it reminds people that celebrities are still human and that she had the courage to go through with a surgery that would possibly question her "femininity", as breasts are pretty much associated with being feminine. If I had the cash to "return to my fabulous" self after doing something like that, I would too. Are you saying she shouldn't have because it's not fair to other people who aren't as wealthy? Do you resent all wealthy people just because you don't have the money they do?
Also, she put her children first and went through several surgeries to better her chances of being around for them longer than what might not have been had she not done the surgeries and developed breast cancer. I think that is commendable.
QFT
you also have to consider that her aesthetic appearance is her bread and butter.
She acts, how she looks makes up a HUGE portion of her career, that in turn funds her humanitarian efforts.
It was probably no small decision on her part to risk her life, her health and her career on a surgery that will potentially increase her chances of having a cancer free life.
nothing is without risk. This was a risk for her, she took it, and she shared that intensely personal journey in an effort to encourage others to consider it should they have the gene.
That's admirable.0 -
I think Angelina is brave to not only do this being in the spotlight but is and was not flaunting her ability to have it done because of her wealth. She did it to save her life She did it for her children. And as one MFP member mentioned although she is a celebrity she is still human wealthy or not. I applaud her for her difficult decision0
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I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
OR if you get rid of the bitterness in your life, you could see that it reminds people that celebrities are still human and that she had the courage to go through with a surgery that would possibly question her "femininity", as breasts are pretty much associated with being feminine. If I had the cash to "return to my fabulous" self after doing something like that, I would too. Are you saying she shouldn't have because it's not fair to other people who aren't as wealthy? Do you resent all wealthy people just because you don't have the money they do?
Also, she put her children first and went through several surgeries to better her chances of being around for them longer than what might not have been had she not done the surgeries and developed breast cancer. I think that is commendable.
^ Well said. She chose to share the details of her experience and that is admirable.0 -
As a survivor, if I would've had a chance to get it done, I would've. I was really young so the best option at the time was to conserve some of it and only do a lumpectomy. In the future, getting a double mastectomy is the plan. I think she did the right thing.0
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what an awesome human being she is. I now respect her even more for going public with a very private matter--all for the good of womankind.0
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I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
I don't believe she did this for your admiration.
^QFT. also, many non-celebrities, aka regular women, with the BRCA genes are doing this now. yes, it may be radical, but it is their choice, and if it decreases the chances of getting breast cancer, then more power to them.
I don't admire her for having the surgery done. That was just smart thinking. I do admire her for taking the time to write about her experience and share it with the world through the NYT. My wife and I read the article this morning, and A.J.'s surgeries and experiences were very similar to what my wife went through, though my wife was diagnosed and had a lumpectomy and chemotherapy done before finally deciding to go ahead with the double mastectomy. She unfortunately has the same gene mutation. We're not exactly celebrity followers but A.J. did, through the NYT, what many women on MFP do regularly, share her experiences with others. I think that does help.
Oh, and editing to add that many insurance coverages do pay for this if the woman has this gene mutation. Ours covered it along with the reconstructive surgery.
/endthread0 -
Hey, 87% chance down to 5% chance... That'd have me cutting off body parts.
Seems like the simple and logical decision (from what we know).0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
If you find out you have an 87% chance of cancer, I think even most low income people could and would find a way to take $20k out in loans to save their life. Of course, this is assuming insurance doesnt cover..which it does however. Even with insurance, you know how much a battle with full blown cancer will cost you? More than that surgery, that's for damn sure.0 -
So you're butt hurt over money? The issue isnt money, it's awareness.I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
Also, you incorrect on the reconstruction as it covered in most cases of mastectomy. Additionally, if you have high-risk family history, most insurance companies will pay for better screenings. Rather than piss about the money she has, look at the awareness, the sacrifice she made (all forms of surgery have a mental impact) - lord knows she didnt do the double just to get reconstruction, her boobs were awesome, also look at the overall humanitarian efforts she does. I'm sure you overlooked all of that because of your personal preferences/prejudices. For that, you should go hang out with Beyonce and Jay-Z since they are higher-than-thou "celebrities" who couldn't GAF about anyone...0 -
I don't admire her for this at all. I mean it's great that she can opt for that surgery and reduce her chances but she can also afford the best surgeons to ensure that she is returned to her fabulous self. Most women cannot afford to have the reconstruction, let alone the elective mastectomy. I don't think her actions give courage to other females. It just reminds them that they are not ridiculously wealthy and can't afford the same preventative care that the rich and famous can.
I don't believe she did this for your admiration.
^^ this0
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