On Tuesday I got a lot of messages, emails, and questions about
this
article from Angelina Jolie. I am also BRCA positive and like Jolie chose
to undergo a preventative
double
mastectomy a little over a year ago. I was also interviewed by the National
Post, and was deeply disappointed when I read the article I was a part of the
following morning.
The article is extremely negative. Suggesting that genetic testing and
preventative mastectomies are the options selected only by hysterical women as
a result of cancer propaganda and fear mongering. And that Angelina is the queen
bee leading women down this risky path. It seems to imply a disaster-like
scenario where – in part because of Jolie’s celebrity status - women everywhere
will want to cut off their breasts. (You can read the
full
article here)
I think it is safe to say that I completely disagree, and I am incredibly
disappointed that my name is associated with this piece of journalism.
But what has distressed me more than anything else is that these ideas are
pervasive enough they are deemed acceptable fodder for a
national newspaper. That we women are all just weak, irrational, hand-wringers
who are likely to think getting a double mastectomy is the same as copying Jolie's
hairstyle. That in a state of complete hysteria we will react in a
“counterproductive” way. And as feeble minded women it would be impossible for
us to look rationally and objectively at the evidence that is presented to us.
This type of commentary feeds the worst preconceptions about women - and
what's worse is that it is being perpetuated by a woman. I think the biggest
issue I have with this piece is how disempowering it is. The article mutilates
education into fear and a question of health into vanity.
Fear vs. Education
I applaud Angelina for speaking out about her decision and the process. As a
result of Jolie’s celebrity the impact of her story has reached millions
of women and started a conversation about breast health. Even without a genetic
predisposition to breast cancer women should still understand their options and
know their risk. Acting proactively is our best defense against breast cancer
at the moment - so whether women look into genetic testing or they just
remember to book their yearly mammogram because of this - a conversation has
been started.
I am sure Jolie’s revelation will not“spook” women into a hysterical trip to
the OR. It is meant to inform women that there are other options. Jolie's
article is aptly titled "My Medical Choice" - because that is exactly
what this is. Women have a choice to go through genetic screening. A
preventative double mastectomy is a choice. Screening is a choice. Knowing your
risk at all is a choice. Women have a choice in terms of treatment and what
they chose to do with the information once they have it.
My choice is exactly that - Mine. I, unlike the women in my family before
me, will never wear the badge of honour as a Breast Cancer Survivor. Because I
will never have to survive a diagnosis. I chose to act preventatively. A choice
I made for myself and for my family. An empowered choice made rationally and
thoughtfully with the guidance of medical professionals, not under duress or on
a whim.
At the end of the day this is question of agency and empowerment. Improved
screening and genetic testing only gives women more tools with which to battle
this horrible disease. Increased awareness, education, and conversation can
only be a positive.
Health vs. Image
Regardless of an individual’s course of action, this choice is about health.
This is a woman’s body, her right, and her choice alone. The consequences of
which each woman will weigh with all of strength, courage, and grace she
possesses. To suggest that a woman would make a frenzied decision about something
like this is insulting.
There is no doubt that choosing to have a preventative double mastectomy has
an effect on your body. I have written at length about my own journey to accept
the physical changes I willingly made. It was long. It was hard. Tears were
shed. An internal struggle raged. But when I woke up and I looked at my body in
the mirror I loved what I saw. Like Jolie, I choose health and a long happy
life, and I have never once second guessed my decision to put my life
first.
I wear these scars and silicone breasts with pride, and I am no less a woman
because of it. My body is beautiful because it is strong and above all because
it is healthy. Having a woman like Angelina Jolie stand up and say that
“health really does trump beauty” sends
a very powerful message.
Perhaps it is possible for a woman to offer the world intellect, strength,
kindness, and character rather than merely breasts, bedroom eyes, and
sexuality. And maybe if we lived in a world that actually valued woman rather than one that objectifies them, making these kinds of choices would not be deemed so
difficult.
This is a personal choice about health. The politicization of cancer
screening, complicated as it is by our social treatment of women’s bodies has
no place. I stand together with Angelina Jolie and all women, who choose
to take control of their bodies and their health.
Love Your Favourite Darwinian Fail,
Krysten
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