Breast Cancer Treatment: The 'Angelina Jolie Effect'

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Ali Cemal Yılmaz provided important information about the breast removal method for cancer prevention brought into focus by Hollywood star actress Angelina Jolie. Yılmaz answered frequently asked questions regarding BRCA testing and Prophylactic Mastectomy. Although years have passed since renowned actress Angelina Jolie had both breasts removed in 2013 on the grounds of breast cancer risk, the subject continues to remain in the spotlight through a phenomenon called the "Angelina Jolie effect." Those with a family history of breast cancer or suspected breast cancer are consulting with cancer specialists due to the "Angelina Jolie effect." They ask "Should I have my breasts removed?" Going back to the beginning of the story in 2013; Angelina Jolie sent a letter to a newspaper stating that she had undergone BRCA (Breast Cancer Susceptibility - Breast Cancer Susceptibility Mutation) testing, a type of genetic test indicating breast cancer risk, and that she carried an 87% cancer risk. Her doctors applied Prophylactic Mastectomy (Skin-Sparing Breast Tissue Removal) to Angelina Jolie to minimize cancer risk. The topic received so much media coverage at that time that according to research published in the Breast Cancer Research journal, there was a 2-fold increase in the number of people visiting cancer clinics and laboratories with suspected breast cancer.

Those with Breast Cancer in the Family are at Risk

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Ali Cemal Yılmaz, noting that while these consultations have decreased over the years, they continue, stated that this phenomenon called the "Angelina Jolie effect" causes patients to become anxious. According to Op. Dr. Ali Cemal Yılmaz, although BRCA test results show high cancer risk, this is not sufficient to decide on Prophylactic Mastectomy (Skin-Sparing Breast Tissue Removal) surgery. Op. Dr. Ali Cemal Yılmaz, stating that the decision to remove breasts is made by cancer specialist physicians with additional tests and evaluations, said: "Approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases are associated with genetic mutations. There is a relationship between those with breast cancer in the family and the frequency of breast cancer occurrence. In other words, a person with breast cancer in the family is more likely to develop breast cancer compared to other groups."

Age of Breast Cancer Onset Has Dropped to the 20s

Op. Dr. Ali Cemal Yılmaz emphasized that in recent studies on hereditary breast cancer, the age of occurrence is concentrated under 50 years old, and cases are even seen in people in their 20s. Op. Dr. Ali Cemal Yılmaz, stating that hereditary breast cancer is particularly more common in people with 2 gene mutations, said: ""These are BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. People with these genetic mutations have a higher frequency of breast cancer. BRCA1 mutation increases the risk of breast cancer by 72%. This mutation also increases the risk of ovarian cancer by 35%. The effect of BRCA2 mutation on cancer frequency is less than that of BRCA1".

More Common in Ashkenazi Jewish Women

Op. Dr. Ali Cemal Yılmaz, stating that these mutations can be detected through genetic testing, said: "Genes with mutations normally have a protective role against cancer. As a result of the mutation in these genes, problems occur in 2 copies of the Suppressor Oncogene (cancer formation suppressor), creating a foundation for cancer development. This mutation is not widespread in the population, but its frequency is higher in certain communities such as Ashkenazi Jewish women."