In May 2013, famous US actress Angelina Jolie announced she had inherited a mutated BRCA1 gene (family history of breast cancer).
She decided to have a preventative double mastectomy.
In the months following Jolie’s announcement, referrals to 21 cancer clinics and genetic testing facilities in the UK increased 2.5-fold.
In Australia, referrals tripled and remained high for 6 months.
Therefore, high profile celebrities can have a global and long-lasting effect on health care.
A similar effect was observed in Australia in 2005 after Kylie Minogue revealed she had breast cancer, with screening increasing by 40%.
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Background
Women have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in their lives.
Their risk greatly increases if they inherit a mutated BRCA1 or 2 gene.
Early detection is important, because breast tumours are most effectively treated at early stages using drugs (e.g. tamoxifen), or by surgery before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body (metastasis).
Women with a family history of breast cancer can have genetic tests to see if they inherited mutated BRCA1/2 genes.
If so, they may choose to undergo risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM, remove their breasts).
In May 2013, famous US actress Angelina Jolie announced she had inherited a mutated BRCA1 gene (family history of breast cancer).
She decided to have a preventative double mastectomy.
What effect did her decision have on other women around the world?
Materials and Methods
This study collated referral data from 21 cancer clinics and genetic testing facilities in the UK in the months following Jolie’s announcement.
Results
In the months following Jolie’s announcement, referrals to 21 cancer clinics and genetic testing facilities in the UK increased 2.5-fold.
Referrals remained high (2-fold) 5 months later, indicating a long-lasting effect.
In Australia, referrals tripled and remained high for 6 months.
During this period, there was no change in referrals for colorectal cancer (control).
There is no evidence of an increase in inappropriate referrals (i.e. they were genuine).
Discussion
High profile celebrities can have a global and long-lasting effect on health care.
A similar effect was observed in Australia in 2005 after Kylie Minogue revealed she had breast cancer, with screening increasing by 40%.
Article
The Angelina Jolie effect: how high celebrity profile can have a major impact on provision of cancer related services
Evans et al., 2014 Breast Cancer Research 16:442
Keywords
Cancer, carcinogenesis, tumour, breast, genetic, testing, screening, gene, mutant, mutation, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRCA, mastectomy, Jolie, Minogue
Subject
Science, Biology, SC4-15LW, ACSHE119, ACSHE134, SC5-15LW, ACSSU185