Angelina Jolie Shares Her Scars to Empower Women Worldwide
Angelina Jolie courageously shared her mastectomy scars on the inaugural cover of Time Magazine France to raise awareness about genetic cancer risks and empower women to make informed health choices.
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has made a bold decision to share her mastectomy scars on an international cover for Time Magazine France.
The much-talked-about photoshoot was for the magazine’s inaugural edition, which was unveiled on Monday.
“I share these scars with many women I love. And I'm always moved when I see other women share theirs,” the Hollywood star told the publication.
Angelina was photographed by Nathaniel Goldberg for the shoot.
In 2013, the actor announced that she had undergone a double mastectomy, followed by a double oophorectomy in 2015, due to her genetic predisposition to cancer. Her risk of developing breast cancer was 87 percent and her risk for developing ovarian cancer was around 50 percent.
The actress revealed that she decided to share her story with the world to encourage women to take their health seriously and make informed choices.
In her recent interview, she expressed that every woman—especially those at risk of cancer—should have broader access to genetic testing and screening.
“Every woman should always be able to determine her own healthcare journey and have the information she needs to make informed choices. Genetic testing and screening should be accessible and affordable for women with clear risk factors or a significant family history,” she told Time France.
Angelina Jolie opted for preventive surgery, meaning she did not have cancer; however, she chose the procedure due to her family’s strong history with the disease. Her mother passed away in 2007 at the age of 56 after battling cancer.
In her widely read 2013 New York Times op-ed, My Medical Choice, she revealed that medical tests showed she carries the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases the risk of cancer.
She also wrote that while the decision was not easy, she is happy she made it. “My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent,” she wrote. “I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer.”
Jolie’s openness has had a lasting global impact, increasing awareness around genetic testing and preventive healthcare and inspiring many women to seek information about their own cancer risks.
