Angelina Jolie's Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes Removed Following Cancer Concerns

Angelina Jolie has done it again. This time, it is her ovaries and fallopian tubes that were surgically removed after cancer fears struck.

In a NYT op-ed, Jolie wrote early stage concerns of ovarian cancer had resurfaced after inflammatory makers were found elevated in her blood work. Though imaging results showed no cancer, Jolie said her risk from mutated BRCA 1 gene was the reason she decided to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. Jolie's mother, grandmother and aunt had died of cancer.

The actor underwent the removal procedure, laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, last week. Tissue testing showed a benign tumor on of the ovaries but no signs of cancer. Jolie said her uterus has been left untouched as her family has no history of uterine cancer.

She further said that the surgery has put her in menopause and some physical changes are expected. However her hormonal balance is being maintained by an estrogen patch and a progesterone intrauterine device (IUD) that will also help prevent uterine cancer.

The star and UN envoy removed her breasts two years ago. She had then justified her double mastectomy given her BRCA 1 gene mutation which revealed an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.

While her move was termed courageous, she did draw some flak for it. This time around, Jolie wrote that a positive BRCA 1 does not immediately mean surgery for all as many women opt for medication and regular cancer monitoring.