Jolie's Decision Sheds Light on BRCA Gene, Importance of Genetic
Counseling  Angelina Jolie announced today that she has
undergone a preventative double mastectomy due to a gene she has
that increases her risk of of developing breast cancer and
ovarian cancer. What makes this gene so devastating and who is
affected by it? We talked to a leading oncologist Dr. Sandra
Swain for answers.  Angelina Jolie announced today that she has
undergone a preventative double mastectomy due to a gene she has
that increases her risk of of developing breast cancer and
ovarian cancer. File photo by NewsHour.  The news went viral
right away.  Movie star Angelina Jolie today announced she has
undergone a double preventative mastectomy. Jolie's mother died
from breast cancer at age 56. She inherited the same gene,
called BRCA1, which her mom had. Her doctors said that gave her
a very good chance of developing breast and possibly ovarian
cancer as well.  In an op-ed piece in the New York Times, titled
My Medical Choice, Jolie descr