As we had previously reported, Angelina Jolie wasn’t done with her war against cancer. After having a double mastectomy in February 2013, Angelina has now decided to remove her ovaries as another way of preventing this sometimes deadly disease. The Hollywood star seems to be fighting a good battle. Angelina has the BRCA1 gene that, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, helps maintain the stability of a cell's DNA and prevent uncontrolled cell growth, but a mutation of the gene, which Jolie has, increases risks for breast and ovarian cancer in women.
“I did not do this solely because I carry the BRCA1 gene mutation, and I want other women to hear this. A positive BRCA test does not mean a leap to surgery. I have spoken to many doctors, surgeons and naturopaths. There are other options. Some women take birth control pills or rely on alternative medicines combined with frequent checks. There is more than one way to deal with any health issue. The most important thing is to learn about the options and choose what is right for you personally,” read the op-ed written by Jolie and published by The New York Times today.
But how does Ovarian Cancer affect Latinas? A study led by the American Society of Cancer states that although ovarian cancer is not one of the principal types of cancer among Latinas (those being: breast cancer, colon and rectum cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and skin cancer in that order), it calculated 1,000 deaths due to the disease which constitutes 6% of deaths caused by cancer in Latinas, and 2,000 (3%) new cases of ovarian cancer by 2012. Amongst Latin women in the US, this illness has been decreasing throughout the years but that can be influenced by the ongoing immigrant movement in the country, according to these studies. Nonetheless, we need to be proactive about preventing methods, and take care of our body, mind, and soul to live a long healthy life.
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