Brad Pitt: Angelina is 'heroic'
Brad Pitt described his partner Angelina Jolie as "heroic" after the actress revealed she underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer.
What is a Mastectomy?
- A mastectomy is an operation to remove the breast mainly as a treatment for cancer or to reduce the risk of it developing.
- In 2010-2011, over 18,000 mastectomies were carried out in England.
- Risk-reducing (prophylactic) mastectomies are carried out on women who have family history of breast cancer.
- Certain genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Preventative mastectomies can reduce the risk of breast cancer by up to 90% in people at a high risk of developing the condition.
- Some women opt for artificial breast reconstruction after the procedure.
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Brad Pitt calls Angelina Jolie 'absolutely heroic'
Brad Pitt described his partner Angelina Jolie as "absolutely heroic" after the actress revealed she underwent a double mastectomy.
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How to spot the possible signs of breast cancer
Breast cancer charities warn that all women should be "breast aware" - but what should you look out for?
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Why I had a double mastectomy like Angelina Jolie
As Angelina Jolie reveals she underwent a preventative double mastectomy, Tracey Barraclough tells ITV News why she had the same procedure.