This response to A. Jolie's surgery rubbed me the wrong way...

[Anonymous]

I think the "hype" is because she is talking openly about women's health issues, including losing your breasts and ovaries and going into menopause. For an actress whose body literally is her fortune, this is a big deal. Using your celebrity to draw attention to the painful choice between cutting out/ off your female parts or risking an early death due to cancer is never a bad thing, in my book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I might be the only person who doesn't care. Why did she announce this and why so much press? I don't care. I agree with you that Great! the rich people in the US have the means to do this.

Full disclosure: my sister had a hysterectomy at 33 due to cancer.

You're not alone about not understanding the hype around this.

I think people are still reluctant to talk about these things. I know my immediate family history, but in my grandparent's day nobody said they had cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer or breast cancer. They got treatment and everything was hush hush unless it was a cancer that didn't have to do with lady parts. I am glad people are more comfortable talking about breasts, ovaries, etc, but I do think we have a ways to go. When miss drop dread gorgeous proudly announces she got these surgeries in a way it gives the message you can still be feminine and beautiful. You breasts and ovaries don't define you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I might be the only person who doesn't care. Why did she announce this and why so much press? I don't care. I agree with you that Great! the rich people in the US have the means to do this.

Full disclosure: my sister had a hysterectomy at 33 due to cancer.

You're not alone about not understanding the hype around this.

I think people are still reluctant to talk about these things. I know my immediate family history, but in my grandparent's day nobody said they had cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer or breast cancer. They got treatment and everything was hush hush unless it was a cancer that didn't have to do with lady parts. I am glad people are more comfortable talking about breasts, ovaries, etc, but I do think we have a ways to go. When miss drop dread gorgeous proudly announces she got these surgeries in a way it gives the message you can still be feminine and beautiful. You breasts and ovaries don't define you.

2nd PP here. That makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the "hype" is because she is talking openly about women's health issues, including losing your breasts and ovaries and going into menopause. For an actress whose body literally is her fortune, this is a big deal. Using your celebrity to draw attention to the painful choice between cutting out/ off your female parts or risking an early death due to cancer is never a bad thing, in my book.

I totally agree. And I've never been a fan of hers.

[Anonymous]

If you have insurance in the US and you have the gene, it is not considered elective and will be paid by your insurance, minus co-pays. My sis had it - doctors in fact STRONGLY recommend it in certain cases. Saves lives and $$$ if you don't have to have cancer treatment down the line.

FWIW, my sis hasn't complained much at all once she healed from the surgery. She would recommend NOT having robotic surgery if possible and using hormone patches if they are allowed by your dr. For most with the gene and life experience with fellow relatives, the surgery is a no-brainer. I'm not trying to belittle the magnitude but honestly, if you have young kids, you are going to do it and not think twice about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My thought is that Angeliina needs to take her kids, her stolen husband, and her ovaries, breasts, and whatever else and take a seat. Do we need to know everytime she cuts the cheese?

So glad she doesn't listen to ignorant people like you PP. I am glad she is bringing awareness to women health issues. It's not like a lot of other people are out there addressing women health, particularly ovarian cancer, on a national level. More less an international level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I might be the only person who doesn't care. Why did she announce this and why so much press? I don't care. I agree with you that Great! the rich people in the US have the means to do this.

Full disclosure: my sister had a hysterectomy at 33 due to cancer.

You're not alone about not understanding the hype around this.

I think people are still reluctant to talk about these things. I know my immediate family history, but in my grandparent's day nobody said they had cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer or breast cancer. They got treatment and everything was hush hush unless it was a cancer that didn't have to do with lady parts. I am glad people are more comfortable talking about breasts, ovaries, etc, but I do think we have a ways to go. When miss drop dread gorgeous proudly announces she got these surgeries in a way it gives the message you can still be feminine and beautiful. You breasts and ovaries don't define you.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I might be the only person who doesn't care. Why did she announce this and why so much press? I don't care. I agree with you that Great! the rich people in the US have the means to do this.

Full disclosure: my sister had a hysterectomy at 33 due to cancer.

You're not alone about not understanding the hype around this.

When you start cutting all your female parts off maybe you will understand the significance of what she is trying to do.

[Anonymous]

I'm currently waiting on my results, with a family history almost identical to AJ's.

I'm glad she's bringing attention to this issue. Maybe it will make it easier for women around the world and even in the USA to have the test and, if necessary, the surgeries. Not everyone has health insurance and/or can afford the procedures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My thought is that Angeliina needs to take her kids, her stolen husband, and her ovaries, breasts, and whatever else and take a seat. Do we need to know everytime she cuts the cheese?

OP here. I am really glad she came forward since I too am at risk. I hope she keeps us posted on the aftereffects too actually. I have asked about that blood test, but my OB doesn't recommend it at all.

If you are talking about the CA 125 it really is useful if you have many many years to establish your baseline. I have been getting in annually since I was 20 so thats 20 years straight. My number is always between 12-18. So if there was any deviation that would be a major red flag for me. My mother had ovarian cancer so I am high risk and my sister had breast cancer. But all of us are BRCA 1/2 negative. I was just talking to my dr about having ovaries removed but I am woried about the menopause affects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a complete hysterectomy at 38 because I had no choice. I would give anything to have my overies back. Hormone replacement therapy is not the same. And I only took estrogen for two years.

I instantly aged. I'm 47 now with osteoporosis and because of that, arthritis. My skin has aged much faster. I am anxious and often depressed. I just feel old. Every single doctor has said these changes (and many others) were directly related to early menopause.

It's not as easy as many people seem to believe.

This. I know two women who had to get hysterectomies in their 30s and they both aged 10 years instantly. Its so hard on your body to unnaturally loose all those hormones and try and find a "therapy" to replace them isn't as easy as popping some pills.

I had a total hysterectomy at 35. I am on estrogen and it's definitely not the same. I was also 120 pounds overweight when I had it done (I had 2 c-sections and 3 other abdominal surgeries in 5 years). The first year after the hysterectomy, my body was in shock and I felt old. However, I am 2 years out and have lost 60 pounds. I feel better than I have in years and am very strong. I realize I cannot eat the way I used to and I HAVE to workout no less than 4-5 times a week to keep things this way. If you allow it to age you, it can and will. You have to work at keeping yourself healthy in a way that other young people don't.

I was really happy to hear that she went public with this. I have found that people who have had it done are very hush-hush about it. We shouldn't be! I wish I had heard more people talk about it. Especially ones that are years out and are doing well. It may have helped my anxiety a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with her on one thing-Angelina's money makes it easier to do whatever she feels needs to be done. In that sense Angelina has it easier. Otherwise I see her decision as just as difficult as the author of this piece. Your thoughts?

I haven't read either this response or the OpEd piece.

But I do feel like Angelina isn't a normal woman / mother with this genetic marker. She is quite wealthy and can afford any surgery or test. A friend of mine is a single mom and lost her mother from breast cancer and is 1/4 Jewish (from her mother's side). She is really worried about her future health. Her insurance won't cover the genetic test and she can't afford it on her own. She said if she were to test positive for the gene, she'd get a mastectomy in a heartbeat because her ex husband is completely (financially, physically, and emotionally) out of the picture.

I think Angelina is trying to promote wellness and wise choices, but it's not like everyone has the options for those choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My thought is that Angeliina needs to take her kids, her stolen husband, and her ovaries, breasts, and whatever else and take a seat. Do we need to know everytime she cuts the cheese?

What a ridiculous thing to post.

[Anonymous]

The only thing that bothers me is that the focus of this should be on the fact that 99% of women can't afford this kind of care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing that bothers me is that the focus of this should be on the fact that 99% of women can't afford this kind of care.

That's not really true. I don't know the stats, but my insurance at least covers the genetic testing if there's a family history of breast/ovarian cancer. And if I'm brca positive, then they'll pay for the prophylactic surgery. I'm sure others do as well. Not every woman has this option, but I'm sure it's more than 1%