Sharon Osbourne Reveals She Had a Double Mastectomy

America's Got Talent judge decided to undergo the surgery after doctors discovered she carried a gene that increased her risk of breast cancer

By Alexis L. Loinaz Nov 05, 2012 12:39 PMTags
Sharon OsbourneSteve Granitz/WireImage.com

Sharon Osbourne has taken firm, decisive steps to safeguard her health.

The America's Got Talent judge revealed that she underwent a double mastectomy after doctors discovered she carried a gene that made her susceptible to breast cancer.

The news, which she shared in the latest issue of Hello! magazine, comes 10 years after Osbourne survived a battle with colon cancer.

"I've had cancer before, and I didn't want to live under that cloud," Osbourne, 60, tells the mag, as excerpted by the Daily Mail. "I decided to just take everything off, and had a double mastectomy."

The course of action she needed to take, she added, was a clear and swift one.

"For me, it wasn't a big decision, it was a no-brainer," she explained. "I didn't want to live the rest of my life with that shadow hanging over me."

Jack Osbourne diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

A big factor in her decision? Her new granddaughter, Pearl, whom son Jack Osbourne and his now-wife, Lisa Stelly, welcomed in April.

"I want to be around for a long time and be a grandmother to Pearl," she said. "I didn't even think of my breasts in a nostalgic way. I just wanted to be able to live my life without that fear all the time."

She also noted, "It's not 'pity me.' It's a decision I made that's got rid of this weight that I was carrying around."

The intimate revelation arrives four months after Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Shortly afterward, she openly wept on The Talk about the impact the news had on her, while thanking everyone for their well wishes.

"He's doing really, really good, and I want to thank everyone for all their texts and goodwill and love they've sent to us." she said. "I really believe that vibes and prayer help."