Angelina Jolie has revealed that she had both breasts removed after her doctor told her she had a high risk of breast cancer. In a New York Times piece this morning Angelina writes,   her doctor told her she has the BRCA1 gene, which is one of the so-called "breast cancer genes".  And because of that, she had an 87% risk of getting breast cancer, and a 50% chance of getting ovarian cancer. So she made the choice to have both breasts removed.  Angelina reveals she went through three months of medical procedures, which were completed on April 27th.

The implants were the final step,  she says, quote, "There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful."

Angelina praises BRAD PITT for standing by her through it all . . . quote, "I am fortunate to have a partner who is so loving and supportive.

"Brad was [with me] for every minute of the surgeries. We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has."

She adds, quote, "On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."

As for why she chose to go public, Angelina says, quote, "There are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer.

"It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options."

(You can read the article here. There's no word what, if anything, she plans to do about the ovarian cancer risk.)

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