Angelina Jolie Double Mastectomy

Most of the studies I have read dont adequately study the number of people with the gene mutations that dont get cancer.

They rely too heavily on people who DO get cancer and how many of them have the gene mutation.

 

Because most people who are tested have presented with symptoms that indicate cancer.

 

This.

I know someone who went through the same choice and procedure. Her sister is ten years older and had cancer. She had the genetic test and chose to take them off. From what I hear, the recovery isn't easy. It may well have extended her life and saved her from chemo.

 

either way, the numbers jolie referenced dont appear to be scientifically sound.

 

I personally think the numbers surrounding cancer are difficult in the same vein that each cancer diagnosis is different than the last or the next. Which is to say any discussion of numbers in the general context has to be well qualified.

Sure, you might have pancreatic cancer but why do some live only a short while after diagnosis while others live well past the 95th percentile (even when the tumor size/location/etc are similar)? Why do some tumors respond to different treatments differently? This is why I say well qualified.

I'm sure that Jolie and her physician discussed the numbers based on whatever testing was done (at least I hope so). And I hope she was given the proper context of those numbers.

Hope that makes sense.