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Angelina Jolie Wants To Improve Access To BRCA1 Testing
Actor Brad Pitt (L) and actress Angelina Jolie arrive at the 84th Annual Academy Awards held at the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Angelina Jolie caused the media to go temporarily insane when she revealed last month that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene.
In addition to lauding her bravery, though, a number of writers—like the LA Times' Robin Abcarian—noted that Jolie also had at her disposal lots (and lots and lots) of money, and probably pretty outstanding healthcare, the likes of which many women facing the same diagnosis don't necessarily have.
In what may or may not be a response to that response, Brad Pitt told Good Morning America today that his wife hopes to help make testing available to the masses.
Her focus now is to make sure that all people have access to the testing and know what they can do about it, and she's certainly shown if you do your research and make your decision whats best for you it doesn't have to be a scary thing it can be an empowering thing...it seems to be a galvanizing moment for people dealing with this.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a 60% risk of developing breast cancer. Jolie noted that the mutation she was carrying left her with an 87% risk.
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