Topics: News, US News, Celebrity, Angelina Jolie, Health, Breast cancer
Angelina Jolie has opened up about her double mastectomy as she revealed her scars from the operation for the first time.
The star posed for TIME France, and showed off her scars - 12 years after she chose to have the operation back in 2013.
In the interview, Jolie spoke about the profound reason that she made the decision to share her scars now, hoping to send a message about not feeling diminished by the operation.
The 50-year-old explained that she elected to have the surgery because although she had not had any signs of breast cancer, she carries the BRCA1 gene.
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This gene increases someone's risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
Not wanting to take any risks, Jolie made the decision to have a preventative double mastectomy.
In the shoot, she dons a low cut black jumper which just reveals the scars that she has from the operation.
Revealing her reasoning for revealing them now, Jolie said: "I share these scars with many women I love. And I'm always moved when I see other women share theirs.
"I wanted to join them, knowing that TIME France would be sharing information about breast health, prevention, and knowledge about breast cancer."
Jolie previously opened up to Hello! at the San Sebastian Film Festival, sharing that she lost both her mom and her grandmother 'very young'.
"I have the BRCA gene, so I chose to have a double mastectomy a decade ago," she explained. "And then I've also had my ovaries removed, because that's what took my mother."
Her mom, Marcheline Bertrand, was only 56 years old when she died in 2007.
Jolie shared that she does not regret her decision, and said that everyone should be able to make their own choice.
She said: "Those are my choices. I don't say everybody should do it that way, but it's important to have the choice. And I don't regret it."
The Oscar-winning actor explained that she had got the procedure in part as a way to reassure her children that they would not lose her to the condition.
"It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable," she added. "They can see my small scars, and that's it.
"Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was. And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can."
Jolie also said that she feels 'empowered' by her decision, saying: "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."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
