Angelina Jolie's ''Willingness to Share Her Journey'' Has Saved Lives, Dr. Kristi Funk Says

Actress announced her operation last night in The New York Times

By Lily Harrison, Lindsay Good Mar 24, 2015 7:08 PMTags
Angelina JolieFAMEFLYNET PICTURES

Medical experts have come forward to praise Angelina Jolie's decision to go public with her latest operation and diagnosis.

"We continue to applaud Angelina Jolie's willingness to share her journey with the BRCA gene mutation. Since the original release of her story, countless women around the world have been made aware of the gene and have been able to explore lifesaving treatment options to lower the risk it poses to their health," a statement made on behalf of Dr. Kristi Funk of the Pink Lotus Center read.

"The best defense for BRCA gene mutation carriers against the threats it poses to their health and well-being is to educate themselves as much as possible on the risks and treatment strategies available. No single strategy works universally. Each woman's life circumstances are unique and her treatment plan should be developed to reflect an individualized approach."

In an op-ed for The New York Times on Tuesday, titled "Diary of a Surgery," Jolie explained that she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed last week because she carries a gene that gave her a 50 percent risk of developing ovarian cancer.

And back in 2013, the Academy Award winner similarly revealed that she had a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her risk of getting breast cancer.

Dr. Funk, who performed the surgery, opened up to Los Angeles magazine about the actress' difficult decision.

"She is intensely private, but she calculated the moment when she would be ready to reveal something so personal," Dr. Funk explained.

She added that the mother of six "waited to find the perfect timing in her personal and professional life, but I think most importantly in her soul."