Angelina Jolie does not have a disease, but she carries a harmful mutation in the BRCA1 gene. This genetic change significantly raises her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer and is linked to Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome.
Understanding the BRCA1 mutation
The BRCA1 gene normally helps repair damaged DNA and prevent tumor growth. When a person inherits a harmful mutation in this gene, their cells can't fix DNA damage as effectively. This greatly increases the chance that cells will turn cancerous over time. Jolie inherited this mutation from her mother, who died of ovarian cancer, and it also affected her grandmother and aunt.
What is Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome?
HBOC syndrome is not a disease itself but a genetic predisposition. People with this condition have a much higher lifetime risk of certain cancers. Women with a BRCA1 mutation face up to an 87% risk of breast cancer and up to a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. The syndrome is passed down in families and affects both women and men, though the risks differ.
Preventive surgeries and medical decisions
Double mastectomy in 2013
In 2013, Jolie announced she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy. Her doctors estimated her risk of breast cancer was 87% before surgery. Removing breast tissue reduced that risk dramatically. This decision was based on her genetic test results and family history, not on any cancer diagnosis.
Ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in 2015
Two years later, Jolie had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to lower her risk of ovarian cancer. This surgery caused immediate surgical menopause at age 39. Ovarian cancer is hard to detect early, so removal is one of the most effective ways to prevent it in high-risk women.
Impact on public awareness
After Jolie’s public disclosures, genetic counseling and testing for BRCA mutations increased sharply around the world. This surge became known as the 'Angelina Jolie Effect.' More people, especially those with family histories of cancer, began asking about their own risks. Her openness helped reduce stigma around preventive surgeries and encouraged conversations about genetic health.
Common misunderstandings about BRCA mutations
- Having a BRCA mutation does not mean you have cancer — it means higher risk.
- Not all breast cancer is caused by BRCA mutations; most cases are not inherited.
- A positive test does not guarantee cancer will develop — it shows increased likelihood.
- Men with BRCA mutations also face higher risks, including breast and prostate cancer.