Angelina Jolie to Remove Ovaries in Next Cancer-Prevention Step

Doctors estimated Jolie's chances of developing ovarian cancer at 50 percent

Following her first brave surgical choice, Angelina Jolie plans to have her ovaries removed next, according to a new report in People Magazine.

“I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex,” Jolie wrote in a revealing New York Times op-ed on Tuesday.

As we learned from her double mastectomy disclosure, Jolie has what she called a "faulty" BRCA1 gene (which stands for BReast CAncer susceptibility gene 1). This gene mutation not only dramatically increases one's risk for breast cancer, but it also causes a high probability of a woman developing ovarian cancer, which Jolie's doctors estimated at 50 percent. Her doctors estimated her chances of developing breast cancer previously at 87 percent.

Also read: Brad Pitt Calls Angelina Jolie Double Mastectomy Op-Ed 'Empowering'

The 37-year-old actress underwent a double mastectomy in February and reconstructive surgery in April. Her decision was inspired by her mother's early death, at 56, and Jolie's desire to be around for his six children.

Also read: Angelina Jolie Double Mastectomy Disclosure: What is the BRCA1 Mutation?

"Some doctors recommend patients undergo the surgery by age 40 or when a woman is done having children, though it may trigger early menopause," the report said of Jolie's future surgery to remove ovaries.

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