15 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Had Breast Cancer

Angelina Jolie removed her ovaries because of cancer risk a few weeks ago, but it was not the first time she had a life-changing surgery. In 2013, she underwent a double mastectomy because she carries the BRCA1 gene which increases her risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast divide and grow without their normal control, according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. By the time a mass of cancer tissue has formed a noticeable lump, it may have been growing for as long as 10 years. Men can get breast cancer as well. Let’s see which of our favorite celebrities have dealt with such a serious issue. Dr. Kristi Funk was Angelina Jolie’s doctor in 2013 when she had preventative double mastectomy procedure. “She is intensely private, but she calculated the moment when she would be ready to reveal something so personal. She knew always that in her philanthropic core she couldn’t keep this a secret and be who she is,” said Funk. Jolie had immediate breast reconstruction surgery where tissue expanders go in and are filled with saline until they can be surgically swapped with allograft implants which create a natural look (By: Allthingsceleb).