Angelina Jolie revealed in an op-ed for The New York Times on Tuesday that she recently underwent elective surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The decision comes two years ago after Jolie chronicled her preventative double mastectomy after learning she carries the BRCA1 gene, which sharply increased her chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Two D.C.-area women, Lisa Schlager and Lauren Dubin, also opted for mastectomies and the removal of their ovaries. In the video above, they discuss their medical histories, their choices, and the effects on their lives. Beth Peshkin, senior genetic counselor at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, also offers insight.
