Angelina Jolie Has Had A Major Impact On Breast Cancer Referrals - Figures Have Doubled | HuffPost Life

Angelina Jolie Has Had A Major Impact On Breast Cancer Referrals

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US actress Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, attends a joint news conference at the conclusion of the 'End Sexual Violence in Conflict' summit in London, Friday, June 13, 2014. The Summit welcomed governments from over 100 countries, over 900 experts, NGOs, Faith leaders, and representatives from international organisations across the world. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Angelina Jolie, who last May revealed to the world that she had a double mastectomy to prevent her from getting breast cancer, has had a positive effect.

Her brave decision to come out to the world has had a knock on effect on breast cancer referrals, which doctors have called the "Angelina effect".

She took the decision after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation that greatly increases the risk of developing the disease.

A new study has now measured the impact her surprise announcement made on women in the UK.

It shows that in June and July last year the number of GP referrals for genetic counselling and DNA tests for breast cancer mutations increased two and a half times compared with the same period in 2012.

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The effect was long-lasting, with referrals remaining at twice the previous year's figure from August to October.

But the extra women seeking help were not worried about nothing - most had a family history of breast cancer, meaning they were being appropriately screened.

Continues below the slideshow:

Breast Cancer: Myths Vs Facts

MYTH: A Healthy Lifestyle + No Family History = No Risk Of Breast Cancer(01 of15)

“Breast cancer can sadly happen to anyone, at any age,” says Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research at Breast Cancer Campaign. “This is why it is vital that you stay breast aware, know what is normal for you, and report any unusual changes to your GP.” However, although lifestyle choices do not guarantee prevention, Carolyn Rogers, Clinical Nurse Specialist, at Breast Cancer Care, points out: “Eating a well balanced diet, taking regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol intake can all contribute to reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.” (credit:fatchoi via Getty Images)

FACT: Motherhood Can Affect Breast Cancer Risk(02 of15)

“Evidence suggests that for every child you have, your risk of breast cancer is reduced by 7%, while, every 12 months of breastfeeding reduces risk by 4%,” says Dr Wilde.Sally Greenbrook, Senior Policy Officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, explains: “In the long term, women who have had children are at lower risk of breast cancer than those who have not, with the more children a woman has, and the earlier she begins her family, the greater the decrease in risk.” However, she adds: “Research suggests the risk temporarily increases slightly, for a few years after giving birth, regardless of age. But it’s important to remember that breast cancer in childbearing years is very rare.” (credit:LWA via Getty Images)

MYTH: Antiperspirant Deodorants Can Cause Breast Cancer(03 of15)

“Some people have argued the chemicals in antiperspirants, such as parabens and aluminium salts, have a link to breast cancer, but no scientific evidence backing up this claim has been found,” says Dr Wilde.“This is a common myth, which apparently started from a hoax email a few years ago,” says Annabel Bentley, medical director at Bupa. “Research since then, looking at deodorants and breast cancer, has not found a proven link. At the moment there is no evidence to suggest that parabens cause breast cancer to develop. All that is known is that these chemicals are present in some breast cancers." (credit:Alliance via Getty Images)

MYTH: Breast Implants Can Give You Cancer(04 of15)

“Breast implants are not thought to affect a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer,” says Dr Wilde. “A recent study of over 3,000 Swedish women found no increased risk up to 37 years after having implants. “However, breast implants can make it more difficult to see a cancer using mammography, so if you are going for breast cancer screening and have implants, you should let your screening team know so they can get the best image possible.”“The radiographer may wish to take additional x-ray images from different angles to be sure that all of your breast tissue is completely examined,” adds Greenbrook. “They may also want to check the images straight away to make sure they are suitable, which means your screening needs to take place at a unit with digital technology.” (credit:Ben Welsh via Getty Images)

MYTH: Having An Abortion Increases Breast Cancer Risk(05 of15)

"There is no evidence to support the notion that having a miscarriage or an abortion increases your risk of developing breast cancer," says Dr. Wilde. "An analysis published in 2004 of 53 studies, including 83,000 women with breast cancer from 16 countries, concluded that a woman’s risk of breast cancer is not increased by either having a miscarriage or an induced abortion.” (credit:tommaso79 via Getty Images)

MYTH: Hair Straightening Sprays Can Cause Breast Cancer(06 of15)

"Some hair straightening sprays have been considered as a possible cause for breast cancer," says Dr Wilde. "Fortunately, a large study, which looked at African-American women who had used straightening products seven or more times a year, for 20 years or longer, found no increase in breast cancer risk due to use of hair relaxers.” (credit:mehmetdinler via Getty Images)

FACT: The Higher Your Alcohol Intake, The Higher Your Breast Cancer Risk(07 of15)

“Several major studies have confirmed that the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of breast cancer,” says Dr Wilde. “For example, a US study involving over 100,000 women, showed that women who drank two glasses of wine a day were 50% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not drink at all.”Rogers advises, “It’s best to stick to the NHS guidelines, which state that women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.” (credit:Torsten Schon via Getty Images)

MYTH: Particular Foods Can Cause Or Prevent Breast Cancer(08 of15)

"There is no good evidence that any one particular food can effectively either cause or prevent breast cancer,” says Wilde.Bentley agrees: "There is no single superfood that is proven to prevent breast cancer. However, another way to look at it is there are super diets, meaning that it is the combination of a range and variety of healthy foods which gives you the best chance of reducing your cancer risk. "A healthy balanced diet is one which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre, starchy foods, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products." (credit:Denny Thurston via Getty Images)

MYTH: Wearing The Wrong Bra Can Give You Breast Cancer(09 of15)

“Wearing an underwired bra, or one that doesn’t fit correctly, does not increase your risk of breast cancer," says Carolyn Rogers, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care. "But if your bra is too tight or too small it can cause discomfort or pain. Download Your Guide to a Well-Fitting Bra to find out how a bra should fit for comfort and support.” (credit:jacek_kadaj via Getty Images)

MYTH: Breast Cancer Only Affects Women(10 of15)

“Men can get breast cancer too. Though rare, every year around 350 men are diagnosed in the UK - compared to nearly 55,000 women," explains Rogers. "Many people don’t know that men can get breast cancer because they don’t think of men as having breasts. In fact, both men and women have breast tissue, although men have much smaller amounts than women. "Most men who get breast cancer are over 60, although younger men can be affected. We encourage men, like women, to be breast aware so they can spot and report any unusual changes to their GP as soon as possible.” (credit:Gen Nishino via Getty Images)

FACT: Certain Birth Control Pills Are Linked To Breast Cancer Risk(11 of15)

“It has been established that women who take the combined contraceptive pill have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer,” says Dr Wilde. “But, the risk associated with the pill decreases when you stop taking it and returns to normal after ten years.”She adds: “It is important to note that 80% of breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 50. Age is a bigger risk factor, and since the contraceptive pill is largely taken by younger women, this risk factor contributes to very few extra cases of breast cancer.”Greenbrook also points out that the combined pill has changed over recent decades. “Over the past 30 years, the levels of the female hormone oestrogen in the combined pill have decreased. It is not yet clear whether the modern, low doses in the combined pill are associated with the same breast cancer risk as the older, higher dose pills.” (credit:Raymond Forbes via Getty Images)

MYTHS: Lumps Are The Only Visible Sign Of Breast Cancer(12 of15)

"A lump is just one of many symptoms of breast cancer," warns Dr Wilde. "It is just as important to look out for any of the following signs: continuous pain in a breast or armpit; one breast becoming larger or lower; puckering or dimpling of the skin; nipples becoming inverted, changing shape or position; nipples developing a rash, crusting or producing discharge; swelling under the armpits or around the collarbone.”"Check all parts of your breast, including your armpits and collarbone," adds Rogers.Breakthrough Breast Cancer advocates TLC or Touch, Look, Check. "This simply means knowing what your breasts look and feel like normally, being on the lookout for any unusual changes and getting them checked out by your doctor," explains Greenwood. (credit:Dynamic Graphics Group via Getty Images)

MYTH: All Breast Lumps Are Cancerous(13 of15)

"Thankfully, not all breast lumps are cancerous," says Wilde. "They may be benign cysts or overgrowth of tissue. But it is always important to report any changes to your GP,” she adds. (credit:pyotr021 via Getty Images)

FACT: Being Overweight Can Cause Breast Cancer(14 of15)

“Being overweight after the menopause increases your risk of breast cancer, and there is evidence to suggest that being overweight also reduces your chances of survival if you do get breast cancer,” says Wilde. (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)

FACT: Taller Women Have A Higher Risk Of Breast Cancer(15 of15)

“The taller you are, the slightly higher your risk of breast cancer,” says Greenbrook. The reason why has yet to be scientifically proven but Dr Wilde suggests that “genes, nutrition, hormones, and amount of breast tissue may play a role.” (credit:Jon Helgason via Getty Images)

Professor Gareth Evans, from the charity Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention and St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, who led the study published in the journal Breast Cancer Research, said: "Angelina Jolie stating she has a BRCA1 mutation and going on to have a risk-reducing mastectomy is likely to have had a bigger impact than other celebrity announcements, possibly due to her image as a glamorous and strong woman.

"This may have lessened patients' fears about a loss of sexual identity post-preventative surgery and encouraged those who had not previously engaged with health services to consider genetic testing.

"These high-profile cases often mean that more women are inclined to contact centres such as Genesis - and other family history clinics - so that they can be tested for the mutation early and take the necessary steps to prevent themselves from developing the disease.

"Of course, in some cases this may mean a risk-reducing mastectomy, however cancer preventing drugs, such as tamoxifen, and certain lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and more exercise, are also options which many women may consider."

Defective versions of BRCA1 and its sister gene BRCA2 are together responsible for about a fifth of breast cancers.

Women who inherit BRCA1 have a 60% to 90% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. BRCA2 increases the risk by 45% to 85%.

Both gene mutations also raise the risk of ovarian cancer.

The "Angelina effect" highlights the need for more to be done to improve awareness of inherited breast cancer, say the researchers.

Under NHS guidelines, women can qualify for BRCA testing if one of the mutations has already been identified in a relative or they have a strong family history of breast cancer.

Sally Greenbrook, senior policy officer at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "We have heard anecdotally that referrals to family history and genetics services had increased since Angelina Jolie's announcement but it's interesting to see evidence to support this.

"We're also encouraged to learn that women with a family history of breast cancer are recognising that they may be at increased risk of developing the disease and taking a proactive approach to their health.

"It's important to remember however that only one in five breast cancer cases are linked to having a family history of the disease, and faults in known breast cancer genes are very rare.

"This is why genetic testing is only offered to those considered to be at higher risk following a family history assessment.

"We know that some family history services currently struggle to meet demand.

"It's important that NHS services have enough resource to meet this increased demand."

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