Angelina Jolie, the actress Hollywood has come to know and love has undergone double mastectomy! In a post with New York Times, Jolie explains her reasons as to why she had taken such a radical means to chances of her ever getting breast cancer.

In a most shocking development, Angelina Jolie has announced one of the most surprising news in her career. Fans of Jolie may hope to hear happy news of a wedding of Jolie to Brad Pitt this year but Jolie's news is nowhere to close to the sound of wedding bells.

The mother of six has explained her reasons to the medical move in her post for the New York Times. Jolie's original post may be read here.

"My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman," stated Jolie.

Fans are oblivious to the fact that Jolie's mother died at the age of 56 due to breast cancer. In hopes of reducing the chance of breast cancer, Jolie had undergone medical procedures since February of this year.

"On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work," continued Jolie.

As honest and as strong as Jolie will ever be known for, the 37-year old actress has taken her experience to the public in hopes of increasing awareness over breast cancer.

"But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people's hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action," stated Jolie.

"I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer," continued Jolie.

Thankfully, Jolie has Brad Pitt during these tough times that prove nothing may ever come in between the two.

"I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition. Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries. We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has."

"I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options."

"Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of."

Everyone in Hollywood salutes Angelina Jolie for her brave fight against breast cancer. Fans, friends and family are sure to support the actress in all possible ways.

The New York Times New York Hollywood Breast Cancer