What did Angelina Jolie test positive for?

Author: Miss Ellie O'Kon  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Swayed by the power of celebrity, many women needlessly rushed to get genetic testing for the cancer-causing BRCA mutations right after actress Angelina Jolie announced in May 2013 that she underwent a double mastectomy based on a positive BRCA test, concluded a study in the BMJ last month.

What cancer test did Angelina Jolie have?

In her article, she detailed her decision to undergo testing for the BRCA1 gene—known to dramatically increase a woman's chance for developing breast and ovarian cancers—and to have a preventive double mastectomy as a result of her identification as a carrier of the disease-fueling genetic mutation.

What does it mean if you test positive for the BRCA gene?

A positive test result indicates that a person has a harmful change in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (these are typically called “pathogenic” or “likely pathogenic” variants on laboratory test reports) and has an increased risk of developing certain cancers.

Did Angelina Jolie have BRCA1 or BRCA2?

On May 14, 2013, actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian Angelina Jolie disclosed in an open editorial (op-ed) to the New York Times entitled “My Medical Choice” that she had learned she was a BRCA1 mutation carrier and had undergone a risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy procedure with reconstruction [1].

Does Beyoncé have BRCA2?

Of course, everyone wants to know about my daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, who have tested negative for the BRCA2 variant. I started working with ConnectMyVariant in October 2021 to map my family history and find other relatives who might benefit from genetic testing. My variant is called BRCA2:c. 6591_6592del.

Angelina Jolie's mastecomy: Should you get the BRCA gene test?

What happens if you have both BRCA1 and BRCA2?

BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) inherited gene mutations can increase the risk of a second primary breast cancer (a second breast tumor not related to the first one) [38,198-202,649]. These tumors usually occur in the contralateral (opposite) breast rather than in the same breast as the first cancer.

What is the life expectancy of someone with BRCA2?

With no intervention, the remaining life expectancy of a 30, 40 and 50 year-old BRCA1 mutation carrier who has never had cancer, is 41.5, 32.7 and 26.1 years, respectively; the remaining life expectancies of BRCA2 mutation carriers of the same ages are 48.6, 39.4 and 30.7 years.

Which parent passes the BRCA gene?

Both men and women can have BRCA mutations and can pass them onto their children.

Should I get a mastectomy if I test positive for BRCA?

Bilateral mastectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by at least 95% in women who have a harmful (disease-causing) variant in the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene and up to 90% in women who have a strong family history of breast cancer (6–9).

How did Angelina Jolie get cancer?

In 2013 after finding that she possesses a mutation of the BRCA1 gene that significantly increases her chance of getting breast cancer. Mastectomy means removing a person's breasts by medical operation. Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy. Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 function as tumour suppressors.

What syndrome does Angelina Jolie have?

Angelina Jolie revealed that she was diagnosed last year with Bell's palsy, a form of temporary facial paralysis caused by damage or trauma to the facial nerves.

What famous person has the BRCA gene?

On May 14, 2013, acclaimed actress and philanthropist Angelina Jolie published an op-ed in The New York Times in which she shared her decision to undergo a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy after learning that she had a deleterious BRCA1 mutation.

What is the difference between BRCA1 and BRCA2?

BRCA1 mutations are seen in about 7% of families with multiple breast cancers and in about 40% of families with ovarian and breast cancer. BRCA2 mutations are found in 20% of families at high risk for ovarian and breast cancers but in less than 3% of women with earlt onset breast cancer.

Why did Angelina Jolie have a hysterectomy?

“Surgery to remove my tubes and ovaries was the best option because on top of the BRCA gene, three women in my family have died from cancer,” she wrote. “My doctors indicated I should have preventive surgery about a decade before the earliest onset of cancer in my female relatives.

What problems did Angelina Jolie have?

"My body reacts very strongly to stress," she said, before revealing: "My blood sugar goes up and down. I suddenly had Bell's palsy six months before my divorce." Bell's palsy is a rare, unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis, and it typically resolves on its own within six months.

What happens if a BRCA test is positive?

Positive test result

You might need different screening tests or have screening more often. You also might consider medicines or surgery that can reduce your risk of cancer. Your options depend on many factors. These may include your age, medical history, past treatments and surgeries, and personal preferences.

Are BRCA2 cancers more aggressive?

BRCA2-related prostate cancer is more likely to be associated with features of aggressive disease, including a higher tumor stage and/or higher grade at diagnosis, higher Gleason scores [Gallagher et al 2010], and a higher prostate-specific antigen level at diagnosis [Ibrahim et al 2018].

Can one sister have BRCA and the other not?

Only identical twins have the exact same genes. Other family members share some, but not all, of their genes. For example, if your mother has a BRCA1 gene mutation, there's a 50% chance you'll inherit the mutation and a 50% chance you won't. Your mother has two BRCA1 genes, one with a mutation and one with no mutation.

Should you have kids if you have BRCA2?

If you have Lynch syndrome or a BRCA1/2 gene mutation, you have a 50% chance of passing it on to each child you have, but you can have your children as normal.

Does BRCA2 skip a generation?

Your genetic counsellor will discuss with you what this means for you and your family and what your risks may be. Myth 3: BRCA mutations can “skip” a generation. Truth: Genetic mutations can't “skip” a generation.

At what age should BRCA2 ovaries be removed?

Risk-reducing removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes, (known as risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy or RRSO ) is recommended between ages 35-40 for BRCA1 and 40-45 for BRCA2 and upon completion of childbearing.

Should I have a double mastectomy if I have the BRCA gene?

Most women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation will develop breast cancer at some point. Having a prophylactic mastectomy before the cancer develops might add many years to their lives. But not all women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations develop breast cancer. For some women the surgery might not have been helpful.

Which cancers are genetically inherited?

Scientists have discovered inherited gene mutations for certain types of cancer, including:
  • adrenal gland cancer.
  • bone cancer.
  • brain and spinal cord cancers.
  • breast cancer.
  • colorectal cancer.
  • eye cancer (melanoma of the eye in adults and retinoblastoma in children)
  • fallopian tube cancer.

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