Posts Tagged ovarian cancer

Angelina Jolie
By Alexandra Brodsky • 10 years ago

Quick Hit: Angelina Jolie writes about her double mastectomy, preventing breast cancer

Angelina Jolie published a op-ed in this morning’s New York Times detailing her double mastectomy. Because of her family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Jolie chose to investigate her own risk through genetic testing. When her doctor determined she had an “87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer,” the actress and director decided to undergo a preventative double mastectomy, reducing her chances of cancer significantly.

Jolie’s piece is more than a personal narrative that denies stigma its power–though it certainly is that, too, and a particularly powerful confession given Hollywood’s obsession with the perfect, young female body. Jole wrote the op-ed, she explains, so other women will be aware of ...

Angelina Jolie published a op-ed in this morning’s New York Times detailing her double mastectomy. Because of her family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Jolie chose to investigate her own risk through genetic ...
By Maya Dusenbery • 10 years ago

The gene patent case before the Supreme Court is hugely important to women’s health

Ed. note: Katie is off this week, so Arikia Millikan is guest blogging in her place. Arikia is a Brooklyn-based journalist and former Wired editor who writes about science and technology. She was Nate Silver’s research assistant for the NY Times bestseller The Signal and the Noise.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a precedent-setting case regarding the patenting of human genes, specifically the two genes that are most closely linked to breast and ovarian cancer. When Myriad Genetics aided in the discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2, they patented the discovery, securing a monopoly over use of the genes for decades. Now, a group of researchers and medical groups, including the women’s health collective Our Bodies Ourselves, have sued.

Ed. note: Katie is off this week, so Arikia Millikan is guest blogging in her place. Arikia is a Brooklyn-based journalist and former Wired editor who writes about science and technology. She was Nate Silver’s ...