Celebrities voice support for Angelina Jolie after mastectomy

Only moments after Angelina Jolie’s revealing op-ed was published late Monday, the actress’ name was trending on Twitter. From celebrities to cancer survivors, tens of thousands voiced their support for Jolie’s decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy.

“I commend Angelina Jolie for her courage and thoughtfulness in sharing her story today regarding her mastectomy. So brave!” wrote Sheryl Crow, a breast cancer survivor herself. “Brave, honest strong,” said Oscar winner Marlee Matlin. “Proud of her for using her incredible platform to educate women,” added E! host Giuliana Rancic, who underwent a double mastectomy in 2011.

In the emotional essay in the New York Times, Jolie, 37, said that on April 27, she completed three months of medical procedures that she chose to undergo after learning she had an 87% of developing breast cancer. Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died from ovarian cancer in 2007, and Jolie said she carries a gene that increases her risk of getting both breast and ovarian cancer.

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“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,” the actress wrote. “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.”

Had Jolie wanted to keep the surgery private, she probably could have: The actress has no promotional obligations until next year. She won’t be seen again on the big screen until July 2014, when “Maleficent” hits theaters (she plays the sinister title role). She is also set to reprise the animated character Tigress in “Kung Fu Panda 3,” but that film isn’t being released until 2015.

Jolie’s significant other, Brad Pitt, has some publicity duties this summer, however: His big-budget zombie flick “World War Z” will be released June 21. Pitt is set to attend several premieres, though it’s unclear whether Jolie will be flanking him on the red carpet. In her op-ed, Jolie said was fortunate to have a partner “who is so loving and supportive.”

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For his part, the actor called Jolie’s choice “absolutely heroic. “All I want for is for her to have a long and healthy life, with myself and our children,” he said in a statement. “This is a happy day for our family.”

Other reactions to Jolie’s news follow below.

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