Angelina Jolie's Choice

[Sevrin]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opini ... hoice.html

I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. 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.

I can't imagine going to have my balls lopped off if I had an 87% chance of developing testicular cancer. Props, Ms.Jolie.

:handgestures-salute:

 

[bawksy]

 

[LadyLuna]

It's okay bawksy, read the whole thing. They reconstructed her breasts with implants, and apparently her nipples are still real.

 

[zippypinhead]

Considering that her mother died from breast cancer, I can definitely understand her decision. I hope very much that such a drastic preventative measure pays off for her. Cancer's a real unpredictable bitch. It's certainly scary enough for me to consider excising body parts.

On the bright side, she has access to the world's greatest cosmetic surgeons. Hers might not be "real" anymore, but I'm sure they're still spectacular.

 

[JickyJuly]

I think people should do whatever they want to with their own bodies. If she feels better without them, great. BUT, I do think the guestimations of doctors are being given a little too much weight these days. I was misdiagnosed as having cancer 9 years ago. Doctors make mistakes. I would not go hacking off body parts to avoid something that a superfluous risk percentage was attached to. We're not meant to live forever, and doctors are not fortune tellers.

 

[Bocefish]

Her health choice. However, I don't see why it's leading almost every news broadcast.

ETA: I would like to see her aftermarket additions, now that would be newsworthy. :mrgreen:

 

[Gen]

I like how she wrote it and specified numerous times that this was simply her choice, not the righr or wrong one, but just one that she made. Having a heightened risk, a lot of children, and the money to access great surgeons, it seems like a good decision for her.

 

[ExxxMachina]

and the money to access great surgeons, it seems like a good decision for her.

I wonder how she would have felt had she not the money to reconstruct her breasts?

 

[LilyEvans]

and the money to access great surgeons, it seems like a good decision for her.

I wonder how she would have felt had she not the money to reconstruct her breasts?

The fact that post-mastectomy reconstruction is so important is a societal problem, unfortunately. It's even reflected in breast cancer campaigns-- have you seen the "Save the Boobies!" stuff? I get that they were trying to be lighthearted and appeal to a younger generation, but it honestly sends a terrible message. How about, "Save the mothers/sisters/daughters/friends/women/lives"? Of course I don't even want to get started on those "campaigns"-- if you look at how Susan G. Komen spends their money, it's sickening. Actual cancer research gets a pittance of the money they bring in.

 

[Anonymous]

Her health choice. However, I don't see why it's leading almost every news broadcast.

I'm already making a prediction which MFC regular is gonna bring this up in my public chat tonight...lol. When it gets quiet in my room and he's run out of stuff to say, he's gonna be like "Did you guys hear that Angelina Jolie chopped off her boobs?"

 

[Mirra]

Cancer's a real unpredictable bitch.

I found this humorous mostly because I predict I will be diagnosed with some sort of cancer by the time I'm 60... assuming I live that long of course.

Just something about having had 2 grandparents and one parent die from cancer while the other parent and my half-brother are both cancer survivors makes it seem more likely than not unfortunately.

I could see making a similar decision as Angelina if I had the means.