Would you have a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer like Angelina Jolie?

Mastectomy is the fear of most women. But after Angelina Jolie, known not only for her lovely face and sexy body but also for her advocacies, bravely declared she recently had a double mastectomy, she suddenly gave it a new perspective that women need not be scared or ashamed of this procedure. Being able to live a cancer-free life with your loved ones  and being able to look at the future with no fears is more precious than vanity which will only take you six feet under. What about you? If you were Angelina Jolie, would you have a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer?  Read on as some friends share with us their views.

Rina Silayan Go, businesswoman

To be perfectly clear, Angelina presumably did that to be completely proactive about her health and because she wants to be around her children longer. So, if statistically evidence-based studies show it can, my answer would be yes because I would like to be proactive if I could! She’s blessed to have a supportive fiancé and has the resources to have access to recent developments in the medical field. Being completely open and informative about it to educate people is always something brave and selfless and I believe in that.

Chef Florabel Co Yatco

I’d say no, because it is very drastic. I want more scientific proof more than just a handful of doctors advising me to do so. I also don’t know the long-term effects of such procedure so I would rather do conventional cancer-preventive measures (i.e. proper diet and stress management).

Dr. Diana Cua Balcells, breast surgeon

If I were to learn that I have inherited BrCa 1 mutation gene, I would choose to do close monitoring, take the breast cancer prevention drug and exhaust all available non-invasive measures. If, after a year or two, I find myself insecure and anxious about monitoring, this will be the time I will consider the most radical approach and proceed with preventive double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, except I would opt for nipple removal as well to maximally reduce my risk of getting breast cancer to one to two percent.

Pin Antonio, hairstylist

Mastectomy is not cancer prevention, thus it doesn’t assure any woman of being cancer-free by undergoing the procedure. All of us basically have cancer cells and they will somehow develop if it’s in the genes or if you have an unhealthy lifestyle.

Romina Nañagas, associate PR director, Campaigns PR Inc.

Yes, I would get the double mastectomy. With an 87 percent chance of succumbing to the long, painful and life-threatening path that is cancer (I’ve seen how this disease can literally zap the life out of you), I’d rather prevent it. I have too much to live for to risk what an 87 percent chance of cancer might take away! And, besides, it isn’t like I won’t reconstruct and finally have my perfect and dream cup-size.

Jenni Epperson, stylist

I’m all for preventive medicine/surgery and if I am at risk of breast cancer, I would be proactive and do whatever necessary to lessen my risk. And if it means undergoing a double mastectomy I would do it. As a mother, I have a responsibility too to be at my best health and live a long and healthy life for my children.

Janina Dizon, jewelry designer

With a reported 87 percent chance of developing the disease, I think what she did, at this stage in her life , having little children and a (hot) husband, I think I would do the same. Having lost my mother to breast cancer, I saw personally what she had to go through and if you can prevent that, why not? Being proactive is an admirable choice.

Nancy Irlanda, news anchor, Solar News Channel

Yes, I would, for at least three reasons. First, I believe it would be a crime to not be proactive about disease prevention especially when one has young children, as I do. Second, the most important aspect of fame should be the ability to influence as many people as positively as one can. Third, an ounce of prevention...we know the rest. Was there ever concern that this would somehow diminish her appeal? I think courage is hot!

Chie Gonzales, makeup artist

As a mother I would not undergo such treatment because I want to enjoy the opportunity to give my children the best supplement of breastfeeding. If ever the time comes that I encounter breast cancer I would embrace and deal with it wholeheartedly knowing that God will accompany me in that challenging situation.

Atty. Farah G. Decano, immediate past president, IBP Pangasinan Chapter,

Nope. Why dispose of an asset for a mere probability?