Angelina Jolie shows mastectomy scars to spotlight breast health on TIME France. The Oscar-winning actor appears on the first issue of TIME France’s cover, publicly revealing her double mastectomy scars to raise awareness about breast health, genetic testing, and cancer prevention.
Why This Matters
Angelina Jolie, 50, chose to share her surgical scars from a preventive double mastectomy she had in 2013 after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene, which greatly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Her decision to reveal them now, more than a decade later, is part of a larger message encouraging women to understand their health risks and access preventative care.
What She Said
“I share these scars with many women I love,” Jolie told TIME France. “I’m always moved when I see other women share theirs.”
She added she wanted to use the platform to emphasize breast health, prevention, and knowledge about breast cancer, not just her personal story.
Quick Backstory
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Jolie first made headlines in 2013 with a New York Times essay explaining her choice to undergo preventive surgery after her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died of cancer and she tested positive for the BRCA1 gene.
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That piece helped spark a global increase in genetic testing and preventive screening, dubbed the “Angelina Effect.”
Fans and Social Reactions
Online reactions have trended positive, with supporters on X (formerly Twitter) calling her decision powerful and iconic, and praising her for promoting awareness rather than glamour.
Her advocacy also connects directly to her upcoming work: in Couture, she portrays a filmmaker diagnosed with breast cancer, further extending the conversation about living fully despite health challenges.