USA TODAY, “DISPARITIES IN BREAST CANCER TREATMENT: COLUMN”

USA Today
Disparities in breast cancer treatment: Column
By Nancy G. Brinker

Angelina Jolie, at 37 years of age, performed a tremendous public service when she recently announced she had a preventive double mastectomy to minimize her risk of getting cancer. She explained that she did so because she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, which significantly increased her chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

This was an extremely personal and difficult decision. I know, since I made a similar decision when I was in my late 30s after being diagnosed with breast cancer, which was determined years later that it was also from carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation.