She is well known for her role in the "Lara Croft" film series, her humanitarian work, as one of the most beautiful women on multiple lists, and now, as a woman who made a brave choice to save her life. Angelina Jolie revealed some inspiring news on Tuesday that ended up not only being the biggest entertainment story this week, but also major national news. 

Jolie revealed to The New York Times that on April 27, she finished three months of medical procedures that included a double mastectomy. Her mother died at the age of 56 from cancer, and she wanted to make sure she could tell her kids that it wouldn't happen to her. Jolie tested positive for what she described as the "faulty" gene of BRCA1, which can greatly increase someone's risk of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer. BRCA genes, which stand for Breast Cancer genes, are supposed to be there to help fight cancer, but sometimes they can be mutated or broken, which Jolie refers to as "faulty."  

On average, those who have a "faulty" BRCA1 gene have a 65 percent chance of getting breast cancer, but her doctors estimated that she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands and undergo a double mastectomy. 

She explains that she started with a "nipple delay" that increased the chance of saving the nipple during the procedures. Two weeks later, she had the major surgery, where breast tissue was removed and temporary fillers were put in. Nine weeks after this surgery, she completed the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. 

"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," Jolie wrote. 

And what an amazing thing she did for her children. Many would think they wouldn't be able to do a procedure like this because it would be taking away their womanhood, but Jolie said it just made her stronger. 

"I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminished my femininity," Jolie wrote. 

What a strong and courageous act she has demonstrated for women around the world. Her fearless act gave herself a longer life to live with her partner, Brad Pitt and her six kids. 

Dr. Oz commended Jolie on her choice to have a preventative double mastectomy and told People Magazine, "This shows us what the future of cancer will look like. What Angelina did was to change the dynamic - when a young, sexy woman electively, because of remarkable advancements in technology, allows some of her most sensuous parts to be removed in order to save her life so she can be here for her kids, that's a seismic shift." 

Although surgery is not the right option for everyone, Jolie encourages women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer to talk to their doctors and figure out what the next step is, whether it's getting tested for the gene or not. 

I personally know some family members who have had breast cancer but have thankfully overcome the disease. I didn't even know this testing was out there until Jolie came out with the news. As soon as I heard about it, I told myself I need to get tested for it when I'm older because if this is something I can prevent, then why shouldn't I? But, there is one thing holding me back after researching the topic more -- it costs $3,000 to get tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the United States, according to Jolie in her article. The cost may be covered by insurance companies, but patients will have to meet certain criteria to have it covered, according to Time Magazine. She mentions this as an "obstacle," but this is more than that. For many, it's a stopping point. Most people don't have that kind of extra money sitting in their bank account. 

I understand it would be reducing someone's risk for cancer and possibly saving their life, but this isn't an inexpensive procedure. Jolie's doctor Dr. Kristi Funk from Pink Lotus Breast Center in Beverly Hills explained in her blog that many women don't know the BRCA gene mutation exists and could affect them negatively. At the end of her blog post, she encourages women to learn about Jolie's procedure.

"Like Angelina, I urge women who feel they might have reason to be at risk for a BRCA gene mutation - perhaps because of a strong family history of cancer - to seek medical advice and to take control of their futures." 

But some women won't have that option to "take control of their futures" because they don't have the money to do so. As years pass, I'm sure (and hope) the cost will go down so women everywhere will be able to afford the testing. Until then, Angelina Jolie has hopefully shed some light on this subject matter and has shown women that they can be empowered by "embracing the enemy and taking it upon [themselves] to beat it," as Dr. Oz put it.

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