After Angelina Jolie's cancer scare last year, the 39-year old actress underwent a preventive double mastectomy after learning she had an 87 percent risk of developing breast cancer, her announcement of the news drew widespread public attention. The so-called "The Angelina Effect" is believed to be medically beneficial on the cancer awareness to the women who are at risk of the disease.
"The Angelina Effect" was a Time cover story, observed that Angelina Jolie's cancer scare brought genetic testing to the limelight and noted her capacity to influence people on an outsized measure. She was tagged as an inspiration to many women who is suffering from the same dilemma. Most medical experts publicly agreed that Angelina Jolie made the right decision for herself. However, they differed in their responses to its extensive influence to the public.
As per the new research, Angelina Jolie leads more potentially endangered women to get tested for genes causing breast cancer. However, the benefits on her leading them to get double mastectomies may be limited at best.
Another research study was released this week suggested that the removal of both breasts does not improve survival chances in comparable with surgery which removes a tumor followed by radiation therapy.
As Angelina Jolie's cancer scare was publicly revealed, The American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Symposium presented the study about "The Angelina Effect" in San Francisco this week.
CityNews Toronto reportedly stated that Canadian researchers claimed to demonstrate the medical benefits of "The Angelina Effect". Andrea Eisen, head of the Familial Cancer Program at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in Toronto said that "The Angelina Effect" seemed to increase the awareness and the referral for women who posed as high risk for hereditary breast cancer. She added that these high risk women were really concerned and were pursuing genetic counseling or testing.
Temporarily, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the effects of double mastectomies unwarranted and the patient's survival rates that were treated for cancer were alike to those who have undergone double mastectomies.
Following Angelina Jolie's cancer scare, she soared into the cancer debate when she wrote "My Medical Choice" that was published on The New York Times on May 14, 2013. She recounted her decision and procedures aiming to help other women make informed health choices.
Andrea Eisen then again stated that like Angelina Jolie's cancer scare, a large scale of high risk women sought genetic counseling after the news suggesting that the women who need screening the most continued.
The research did not offer evidence that the women had heard about Angelina Jolie's cancer scare. Nonetheless, medical specialists have credited Angelina Jolie and her so called "The Angelina Effect" for having a significant impact on the cancer awareness as well as the action by women.
"The Angelina Effect" seems to affect people globally. Though many experts tagged its effects on today's society as dueling or conflicting, Angelina Jolie's cancer news brought the disease's awareness to much greater heights.
