Powerful reason Angelina Jolie has decided to show mastectomy scars for first time

Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.

Angela Jolie has made the decision to show her mastectomy scars for the first time ever.

In a new interview with TIME France, the award-winning actress, 50, has opened up on why she's made the empowering choice to show the scars from her preventive double mastectomy from over a decade ago.

For those who need a reminder, Jolie underwent a double mastectomy back in 2013 following the passing of her mother Marcheline Bertrand, who tragically died at the age of 56 in 2007 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

In May 2013, in a New York Times op-ed, she explained how the preventative move was prompted by health tests which found a 'faulty gene,' BRCA1, which significantly increased her risk of getting the illness.

She said at the time: “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."

She emotionally continued: "I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer."

And now, the actress is showing off her scars from the procedure for the first time, in photos that will accompany the full interview, which is due to be published on December 18.

Jolie said in the snippet of the interview that's been released: "I share these scars with many women I love. And I'm always moved when I see other women share theirs."

She powerfully added: "I wanted to join them, knowing that TIME France would be sharing information about breast health, prevention, and knowledge about breast cancer."

For the TIME cover photo, the mother-of-six, posed in a low-cut black jumper while covering one breast with her hand - as we say, the full mastectomy images will be released with the full interview later this week.

As per MailOnline, in March 2015, Jolie also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure against developing ovarian cancer.

In her new interview, Jolie has called for BRCA screenings to become accessible to every woman.

She said: "Every woman should always be able to determine her own healthcare journey and have the information she needs to make informed choices: genetic testing and screening should be accessible and affordable for women with clear risk factors or a significant family history.

The actress underwent a preventative double mastectomy in 2013 (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

"When I shared my experience in 2013, it was to encourage informed choices."

Jolie added: "Healthcare decisions must be personal, and women must have the information and support they need to make those choices. Access to screening and care should not depend on financial resources or where someone lives."

Essentially, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two genes that can increase someone's chances of developing cancer if they mutate.

In the UK, you may be able to get genetic tests on the NHS to check your cancer risk if:

• 1 of your close relatives (such as a parent, sister, brother or child) has been told they have a faulty gene that increases their risk of cancer
• Several people in your family have had certain types of cancer
• You have a Jewish background

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.

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