On her late mother’s 73rd birthday, Angelina Jolie took to her Instagram to share a childhood photo and a heartfelt message, a rare instance of her sharing personal stories. Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, passed away 15 years ago at the age of 58, after a long battle with ovarian and breast cancer, which are prevalent in Jolie’s family.
At the age of 37, Jolie discovered that she carried a defective BRCA1 gene, increasing her risk of breast cancer by 87%, and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. After undergoing a series of tests, Jolie chose to take preventive measures by having her organs removed, despite the side effects of early menopause, to save her life.
Jolie shared her story to raise awareness about the importance of women’s health and taking preventive measures for those at risk of cancer. She considers it her mission to help those at risk of cancer and honor her mother’s memory by raising awareness.
Jolie urged women to prioritize their health and undergo regular cancer screenings, especially those with a family history of cancer. Other public figures, such as Italian supermodel Bianca Balti and singer Laima Vaikule, have also shared their experiences with cancer and taken preventive measures.
