Angelina Jolie Brings Attention to BRCA Gene
According to the American Cancer Society, about 232,300 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year. Angelina Jolie’s recent disclosure about having a double mastectomy, followed by reconstruction has brought the BRCA gene mutation for increased risk for breast cancer to the forefront. Dr. Kristi Funk of the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Beverly Hills, writes a blog post on her website describing step-by-step details of Angelina Jolie’s BRCA diagnosis, surgeries and recuperation.
The Pink Lotus Breast Center is a comprehensive and integrative breast center exclusively dedicated to the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. It is similar to the Virginia Piper Breast Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, which also offers this integrated approach to breast cancer.
I applaud Jolie for her courage to come forth and share her story. While it is a most difficult decision for women to encounter, she is not alone in being faced with such a decision. Genetic testing is only one aspect of assessing risk for breast cancer. I find that patients benefit greatly from the medical care model using a collaborative approach to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. Patients often report that supportive infrastructure is an important element for maintaining a positive attitude during this journey and may often be instrumental for healing and recovery. Self-exam and mammograms remain important tools for early detection. More information is available here from the American Cancer Society.
