https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 18:45:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery/page/2#post-781809 Tue, 14 May 2013 22:28:49 +0000 luckypenny 781809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: :) :) :) thanks lady! That just made my night (( hugs )) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery/page/2#post-781784 Tue, 14 May 2013 22:14:01 +0000 Mrs. Pen 781784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: oh wow I didn't realize it was so random and rare. I mean it is incredibly rare for a teen to get breast cancer with or without the gene. I am still so sorry you went through that.</p> <p>But in regards to bonding - I can tell how much you and E love each other through your IG and vine posts and I can tell that not having the ability to breastfeed definitely didn't hinder your ability to be an AMAZING mother!!! You are such an inspiration to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery/page/2#post-781773 Tue, 14 May 2013 21:53:22 +0000 luckypenny 781773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: here ya go!<br /> <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/11/02/my-nonexistent-breastfeeding-journey/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2012/11/02/my-nonexistent-breastfeeding-journey/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery/page/2#post-781714 Tue, 14 May 2013 21:12:04 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 781714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: I missed your guest post. Could you link it??<br /> Thanks for sharing </p> <p>I think I'd do the same thing she did and glad she shared her story. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery/page/2#post-781700 Tue, 14 May 2013 21:01:08 +0000 luckypenny 781700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: awww thanks! That's mostly how I feel too - sad but grateful and very happy. And I thought for sure it would have been the gene but BRCA came back all negative. My type of cancer is super rare and I was just that random 1 in a million </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery/page/2#post-781637 Tue, 14 May 2013 20:16:53 +0000 78h2o 781637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom and two of her sisters have had breast cancer. One had both breast and ovarian cancer. We are negative for the BRCA genes but obviously something is going on... prophalactic surgery is something I think about on occasion, but I haven't seriously considered it. I guess if I had the money lying around I might do it, esp. if any of my relatives had died from it. My mom had an aggressive stage IV cancer but survived (and that was about 30 years ago when she was 32 or 33).</p> <p>I think it's great that she shared her story. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery/page/2#post-781636 Tue, 14 May 2013 20:16:38 +0000 Mrs. Pen 781636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: I still love your guest blog post and think it was such a well written work, although sad, it had such a happy ending.<br /> So your cancer wasn't the result of a genetic gene? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-781623 Tue, 14 May 2013 20:11:20 +0000 sunny 781623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not really a fan of hers but I think its amazing that she's decided to come out and talk about such a difficult subject in order to help other women. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-781608 Tue, 14 May 2013 20:03:01 +0000 lamariniere 781608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it is great that she raised awareness. </p> <p>A friend of mine went through the same procedure a few years ago when she was in her late 20s. Her mother had already had breast cancer and a double mastectomy. My friend tested positive for the breast cancer gene and decided to act proactively. It was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for her, but now, a few years later, she is very happy with her decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-781052 Tue, 14 May 2013 14:55:37 +0000 Boheme 781052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really admire her for speaking out about it! I hope this starts a lot of conversation among women about taking charge of their health. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-781043 Tue, 14 May 2013 14:52:52 +0000 Vegmama 781043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always said I would do the same thing in that situation. What a graceful way to handle such a scary (let alone life threatening) disease. I think what she did has started a lot of conversations, and anything to bring awareness to detection is amazing. Kudos to her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780682 Tue, 14 May 2013 12:30:35 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 780682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the first test, the person is screened for all mutations. This is the $3000 test I believe. Subsequent tests for other family members check only for the specific mutation found the in the original family member. I think that test is only $300. Since the mutation is rare, it's not recommended to be tested unless you have breast cancer before age 50, multiple family members with breast cancer, or if you are a male with breast cancer.</p> <p>My mom was originally tested for everything. Then my aunt, sister and I were tested for her specific mutation and all 3 of us are positive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780659 Tue, 14 May 2013 12:22:41 +0000 MrsSCB 780659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: Yeah, 87 percent is pretty scary high, I probably would have done the same thing. The only unfortunate thing about all this is if your insurance doesn't cover the blood test for the BRCA gene (or you don't have insurance) it can be very expensive. I hope this highlights the importance of the test so it can hopefully become less pricey! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780645 Tue, 14 May 2013 12:19:48 +0000 mrsjazz 780645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: You're right. Her mom died of ovarian cancer, not breast cancer. Oops. I think she will probably have her ovaries removed shortly, but was probably doing her breasts first because the risk was higher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780639 Tue, 14 May 2013 12:17:13 +0000 MrsSCB 780639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think her mom actually died of ovarian cancer, so I wonder if she might have a hysterectomy when she's done having kids (don't know if they are or not yet). I think it's great that she's speaking out about this -- she obviously didn't have to, since everyone had no idea, so I think it's a very admirable thing that she's trying to help other women. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780529 Tue, 14 May 2013 11:42:02 +0000 yoursilverlining 780529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say good for her for getting it out there; especially since she is such a sex symbol to so many. </p> <p>My mom had breast cancer fairly young (age 50), and I'd like to have the BRCA tests done. If I had odds like Angelina's, I would most certainly want to have a double mastectomy. Having seen what radiation and chemo does (physically and emotionally), I would like to avoid those if possible. As a "normal" person though, one of my biggest concerns would of course be whether or not insurance would cover the reconstructive surgery or not!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780428 Tue, 14 May 2013 11:11:37 +0000 2PeasinaPod 780428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good for her...and good for her for keeping it so on the DL. </p> <p>If I were in her situation, I'm not sure what I would do. I would certainly want to be around for LO, but it would be a hard decision to make. Not to mention, one I'm not sure we'd be able to afford! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780417 Tue, 14 May 2013 11:08:49 +0000 luckypenny 780417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a breast cancer survivor myself, if I had been in her shoes, I would have done the same thing. I have been tested for the gene and do not have it but if I had (after my double mastectomy) I would have had a child and then removed my ovaries.<br /> A preventative surgery like hers can save more of the original breast tissue and I think it would make me feel " in control", rather than the cancer dictating my medical options. Go her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780377 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:59:46 +0000 ladyfingers 780377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the same thing with odds like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780372 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:58:12 +0000 Dandelion 780372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's great, and good for her.</p> <p>I've seen threads elsewhere (on FB) scoffing her for going public with it, but I think it's good. People relate to celebrities, and I know another woman out there with the same situation would look to her and know she wasn't alone in the world.</p> <p>Also, Angelina is probably looking for the same thing. You can't find people in your situation until you put yourself out there and let people know what you're going through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780356 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:52:10 +0000 mrsjazz 780356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: It's a blood test. </p> <p>This site is the one that was recommended to me by my doctor for more info about BRCA1 and BRCA2 and who is at risk, etc: <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA" rel="nofollow">http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA</a>\</p> <p>This is from the website (and was basically what my insurance wanted). </p> <p>The likelihood of a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is increased with certain familial patterns of cancer. These patterns include the following (15):</p> <p> For women who are not of Ashkenazi Jewish descent:<br /> two first-degree relatives (mother, daughter, or sister) diagnosed with breast cancer, one of whom was diagnosed at age 50 or younger;<br /> three or more first-degree or second-degree (grandmother or aunt) relatives diagnosed with breast cancer regardless of their age at diagnosis;<br /> a combination of first- and second-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer and ovarian cancer (one cancer type per person);<br /> a first-degree relative with cancer diagnosed in both breasts (bilateral breast cancer);<br /> a combination of two or more first- or second-degree relatives diagnosed with ovarian cancer regardless of age at diagnosis;<br /> a first- or second-degree relative diagnosed with both breast and ovarian cancer regardless of age at diagnosis; and<br /> breast cancer diagnosed in a male relative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780348 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:48:37 +0000 .twist. 780348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: haha thank you. I agree with it needing to be more accessible. Next time I won't listen to radio men! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780324 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:42:48 +0000 nana87 780324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really admire her for discussing this so openly and eloquently. I had the testing done a couple years ago (I think for brca 2...I can never remember!) and I was negative, but I'm still starting mammograms early because of my family history.</p> <p>@.twist.: she acknowledges that it's expensive in the article--I read it as her saying that this is something that's important and needs to be made more accessible so it can help anyone regardless of income. She writes, "It has got to be a priority to ensure that more women can access gene testing and lifesaving preventive treatment, whatever their means and background, wherever they live. The cost of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2, at more than $3,000 in the United States, remains an obstacle for many women." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780312 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:38:47 +0000 Mrsbells 780312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: How many people in your family have to have it for you to get the test? What does the test involve? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780289 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:33:11 +0000 Dapple Grey 780289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its a battle but apparently insurance will pay for it plus reconstruction if you have considerable risk, which I think is pretty great. It ties into the womens health and cancer legislation from 1998. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780247 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:18:35 +0000 .twist. 780247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Oh, I am not sure. I didn't read the article. I just heard it on the news on the radio this morning! haha. Probably should have read into it more but that's what they said on the radio. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780236 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:13:04 +0000 MrsKoala 780236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really admire her for talking so frankly about her decision and also talking about how expensive the screenings can be. I hope that her activism along with others can change that someday. If it were me, I would have done the same thing if I could afford it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780229 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:10:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 780229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if I were in her situation I would do the same thing. It's not like she has a small family now, so I'm guessing she decided to do it now after deciding the biological side of her family, at least, was complete. I usually get sort of annoyed by her, in general, but I think it's pretty great of her to come out with something so personal to raise awareness of it. </p> <p>@.twist.: I did not read the article, only saw snippets on the news, but I thought she was saying that all women should be aware of the option, not that everyone should do it? Although it's true-- I'm doubtful most insurance plans would cover the inital surgery, much less a good cosmetic surgeon to do the reconstructive surgery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780217 Tue, 14 May 2013 10:05:23 +0000 Grace 780217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know. It's easy to say I would in that situation, but I don't think having a double masectomy would be easy to handle, psychologically. I'd probably do yearly screenings and reassess the masectomy if it found something. With the ovaries, I'm also not sure. Early menopause would not be fun and I don't like the idea of having to take hormone replacement. Certainly not an easy decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/angelina-jolie-has-double-mastectomy-amp-reconstructive-surgery#post-780187 Tue, 14 May 2013 09:55:23 +0000 .twist. 780187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think what she did was smart! Why risk the numbers if you can eliminate them completely? </p> <p>The only part I had a problem with is that she said that everyone should do this if they have a high risk. Well, that is all fine and dandy for a women to say when she makes 10 times (or more!) what any average person makes. As if the average person WANTS to take the risk! </p>