Jolie's announcement will save lives

Women all around Central Florida are discussing this week’s announcement from Angelina Jolie revealing that she’s undergone a preventative mastectomy and will eventually have her ovaries removed. The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida (OCAF) applauds her openness and is ready to answer any questions about the link between the test that flagged her as high risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

On the Op-Ed page of The New York Times, Jolie revealed she had tested positive for a genetic mutation known as BRCA, which gives her a very high risk for developing both breast and ovarian cancer. Because of the test results, she opted for a double mastectomy and is expected to have her ovaries removed as well.

Her mother died of ovarian cancer at 56.

“Angelina has opened up the discussion and we hope to continue the dialogue so people know about the BRCA mutation and its link to not only breast cancer but ovarian cancer. Her choice to discuss this publicly will save lives,” said Bonnie Donihi, OCAF’s executive director and three-time ovarian cancer survivor.

Whether the cancer has already been detected or someone finds out through testing, she has high probability of getting ovarian cancer, and OCAF is here and ready to educate.

The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida works together with individuals, organizations and health care providers throughout Florida. We believe early detection and treatment of all gynecologic cancers will help save women’s lives.

For more information on ovarian cancer or OCAF, visit ocaf.org