To mark Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8, Hollywood star Angelina Jolie took to Instagram to advocate for cancer screening for women. Jolie shared a rare childhood Polaroid photo with her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who died from breast and ovarian cancer on May 9, 2007.
In her post, the Oscar-winning actress opened up about her mother’s long battle with cancer and her own preventive measures to reduce her risk. “Tomorrow would have been my mother’s 73rd birthday. She passed away 15 years ago, after a long struggle with breast and ovarian cancer,” Jolie wrote. “In June, I will be a month away from the age when she was diagnosed. I have had preventive surgeries to try to lessen chances but I continue to have checkups.”
Jolie also extended her heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones to cancer and expressed solidarity with those currently fighting the disease. “I send my love to all those who have also lost loved ones and my compassion to those who are fighting at this very moment for their lives and the lives of those they love,” she wrote.
In her post, Jolie urged her female fans to prioritize cancer screenings and tests, particularly if they have a family history of cancer. “Please take the time to look after yourself and go for your mammograms and blood tests or ultrasounds,” she wrote. She concluded her post with the hashtag #worldovariancancerday.
This is not the first time Jolie has spoken out about her personal experience with cancer. In 2013, she underwent a double mastectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which greatly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In 2015, she wrote an op-ed for the New York Times about her decision to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure.
In her recent post, Jolie also reflected on the emotional and psychological impact of cancer on individuals and families. “The hardest scars to bear are often invisible, the scars in the mind,” she wrote. She encouraged her followers to embrace their physical scars as reminders of their strength and resilience. “I think our scars remind us of what we have overcome. That diversity is one of the things that is most beautiful about human existence,” she wrote.
Jolie’s advocacy for cancer screening and preventive measures underscores the importance of early detection and treatment in improving outcomes for cancer patients. Her message serves as a powerful reminder for women to prioritize their health and well-being, especially in the face of a disease as devastating as cancer.
