Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not know how to feel about Angelina Jolie's announcement?

83 replies

Scarletohello · 14/05/2013 23:58

I must admit I was really shocked to hear that she had had a double mastectomy,I don't know much about breast cancer so it seemed an extreme thing to do. Very brave to go public about it but I felt disturbed and sad,feels brutal to me. Can't really process it tbh,what do other people think..?

OP posts:
Mintyy · 14/05/2013 23:59

There have been at least two other threads on this subject on Mumsnet today. Perhaps you could join one of those?

expatinscotland · 15/05/2013 00:00

I feel for all the women in the US who don't have the insurance or means to get tested and have the choice to do what she did.

WorraLiberty · 15/05/2013 00:01

I don't need to process it because she's not a friend of mine or a family member.

She lost her own mother to breast cancer when her Mum was quite young and she was told she had more than an 80% chance of getting it too.

Therefore she did the most selfless thing possible for her family and had the operation.

Nothing 'brutal' about that really. Much more brutal to get cancer and die...leaving a young family behind.

BunnyLebowski · 15/05/2013 00:06

I think she's done something that is extremely brave and distressing.

I did feel a twang of discomfort at Brad Pitt's subsequent statement thanking their "medical team".

It made me wonder about all the women out there suffering the same genetic threat who don't have the means to pay for 3 months of dedicated treatment as a preventative measure.

She's brave. But luckier than most.

Spero · 15/05/2013 00:08

Sorry but I think you are being just a little bit precious. I agree with Worra - 'brutal' is dying and leaving your children behind.

She has made a decision which seems very sensible for her on the statistical risk she has of getting cancer.

I am fed up of the focus on breasts and its somehow so terrible to have a mastectomy. I had breast cancer and a lumpectomy and my surgeon said it was a 'pity' he couldn't get the scar lower down. I thought that was an insane thing to say - they needed to get the tumour out, I couldn't have given a flying fuck about how they positioned the scar.

I would have had a masectomy without hesitation if my chances of survival were improved.

Good for her for speaking out.

Mitchy1nge · 15/05/2013 00:10

are you worried about a history of breast cancer in your own family op, or the general risks, do you want information about tests and that sort of thing?

LittleMissLucy · 15/05/2013 01:08

Most of the women in the US who can't afford this treatment, would also probably not be likely able to afford the testing for the genetic cancer link which she has. But that's beside the point.

Altinkum · 15/05/2013 01:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lalalalalal · 15/05/2013 01:17

Altinkum I presume you mean her ovaries (since there's also a risk for ovarian cancer in her case I believe)?

I would have thought that she's delaying this since removing both ovaries will trigger (early) menopause and the accompanying medical issues/problems which can arise from that.

SinisterBuggyMonth · 15/05/2013 01:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cravingdairy · 15/05/2013 01:27

She hasn't had her bowel removed either, or her kidney, or her brain. She has doubtless had the best possible advice.

Does everyone know you can get genetic screening on the NHS? I don't know what the restrictions are but I've had it in relation to familial high cholesterol and breast cancer.

hbmeic · 15/05/2013 01:36

What Worra said.

Why do you need to process anything? Or are you one of her nearest and dearest. No, thought not.

She did a good thing, she has a family to look after.

Bogeyface · 15/05/2013 02:01

Brutal is wondering how you will tell your husband that one day he will need to tell your DD's that they carry the gene that gave you incurable breast cancer. Telling your sister that she and her DD's probably carry it too is not a walk in the park. Try processing that.

I didnt meet her but the wife of someone I was at school with had to do this before she died. Her DD's were 6 and 8.

Easier to deal with when you have money and know that your husband and children will not struggle if the worst happens and that is brutal too.

CrispyHedgeHog · 15/05/2013 03:36

Does it matter? Will it impact on your life? Of not, don't worry about it.

Study your belly button fluff or something.

Ledkr · 15/05/2013 03:41

I had the same op for same reasons twenty years ago.
Best thing I ever did and I will support my dds if they decide to do the same when older.
What's not to get? Surgery or death?

Tee2072 · 15/05/2013 05:30

From what I've read, she is going to have her ovaries removed, but this was the more invasive procedure so she did it first.

DaemonPantalaemon · 15/05/2013 05:30

can't really process it tbh,what do other people think..?

I have just about had it with daft comments about the lives of celebrities, but this one really does take the biscuit. You do not have to process it. AT ALL. If you do not know what to think, don't think about it. And you are being very unreasonable to start ANOTHER post when there are at least two on here. Particularly one that is so self-involved about a person with no connection to you.

MikeLitoris · 15/05/2013 06:20

Yes the test is available on the nhs. No idea what the criteria would be though.

My ex's wife had it done last year. Its a long and painful process but I'm sure the alternative is much worse.

MikeLitoris · 15/05/2013 06:21

Sorry I meant to mastectomy and reconstruction is a long process. Not the test.

Fightlikeagirl · 15/05/2013 06:39

spero my surgeon was much the same, came to see me just as I was about to go under and says "I will have to leave a scar right in the middle quite high up... Is that ok?" !!!!
I lay on my trolley and gave him a Hmm and said well if it's a choice of scar or cancer, then I'll take the scar thanks!!

I was at high risk of having the faulty gene so did get tested, they didn't find the brca but have my sample on file to test later on down the line in the case of them ever finding another faulty gene in their research. I would not hesitate to have a double masc if that gave me even a slight better chance of the bc not returning.

Sirzy · 15/05/2013 07:26

If I was told there was over an 80% chance of me getting cancer and a big but possible operation could reduce that chance to 5% too right I would do it! I want to be able to to watch my son grow up and enjoy life so will do what is needed to help that happen.

She has also said she is going to have her ovaries removed at a later date.

Fakebook · 15/05/2013 07:37

Apparently Michelle Heaton (non-celeb that used to be in Liberty-X) also had the same procedure last December after being found to carry the BRCA1 gene. Sharon Osbourne too. I don't think it's brutal. I think it's amazing that this treatment is available.

I think you're thinking they lob off a breast like the Amazonians did to throw their javelins. It's all done nice and neatly, not brutally.

Tinkerisdead · 15/05/2013 07:39

I was referred for genetic counselling after i had repeated breast lumps (one removed by taking my nipple off and reattaching) and then my half sister died at 34.

My other half sister was checked and had the gene but her sister on her mothers side didnt, suggesting it was via my dads side. His sister developed breast cancer and so my surgeon referred me for genetic counselling.

I actually cancelled the appointment as i didnt have kids. I was worried that i'd not have them if i was worrying about genetics. Now i've had two girls and i worry more. I'd been considering askibg for a re-referral after reading michelle heatons case. Would i have a mastectomy if i have the gene? In a heartbeat. I'd do anything to preserve a long life with my children.

CloudsAndTrees · 15/05/2013 07:46

I think she's a very lucky woman to have had access to this testing and preventative treatment, and I actually think it's a bit sick the way she is being touted as some kind of hero. What about all the people that are living with, battled and lost, or have survived their illnesses that couldn't have been prevented no matter what they had done or how much money they had?

Lonecatwithkitten · 15/05/2013 07:51

Both the genetic testing and the surgery are avaliable of the NHS to at risk individuals. The risk afterwards is still great than the general population and people do still die of breast cancer after the surgery leaving behind often very young families - I know of two families who have suffered this,