Angelina Jolie and the BRCA Gene: Why Her Story Still Matters

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The May 2013 TIME Magazine cover presenting Angelina Jolie’s effect on hereditary cancer healthcare and testing (source: TIME Magazine) 

When you hear the acronym BRCA (BReast CAncer), what comes to mind?  

Many people may quickly think of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or genetics. For others, the term is closely associated with actress Angelina Jolie, whose public disclosure more than a decade ago reshaped global awareness of hereditary cancer and BRCA gene mutations. 

In 2013, Jolie published an influential New York Times opinion piece revealing that she was a carrier of a BRCA1 mutation. She described her experience as a previvor, her mother’s history with breast cancer, the reasoning behind her decision to have a preventative double mastectomy and later surgery to remove her fallopian tubes and ovaries, and her commitment to advocating for a better future for people affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. For Jolie, learning her BRCA1 status was not a source of fear but a key piece of information that allowed her to take control of her health. Her story showed that genetic testing for BRCA is a powerful tool that provides clarity, , regardless of wealth or fame. 

But what are the BRCA genes, and why do they matter?  

The BRCA genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA. This repair process is essential for protecting the body from developing cancer. Each person carries two copies of each of these genes in every cell of their body. When someone inherits or develops a BRCA gene mutation, as Jolie did, the body loses some of this protective ability, increasing lifetime cancer risk. 

For women, this can mean a 55 to 72 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and a 20 to 50 percent lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer. For men, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations increase the lifetime risk of prostate cancer, with estimates ranging from 16 to 33 percent, and pancreatic cancer, with estimates of 5 to 10 percent. In the general population, about 1 in 350 individuals inherits a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Some groups face higher rates. For example, about 1 in 40 people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry carries a BRCA mutation, highlighting the importance of BRCA testing for Jewish individuals (Petrucelli et al., 2025). 

A turning point in hereditary cancer awareness 

For many, Jolie’s announcement in 2013 was the first time they had heard of BRCA testing or understood what a BRCA gene mutation meant. It marked a turning point for the hereditary cancer community. 

A 2013 survey by Harris Interactive/HealthDay of 1,100 United States women conducted shortly after the announcement found that 86 percent had heard Jolie’s story. More than half of the participants said they were likely or very likely to pursue genetic testing for BRCA if their insurance covered it. This contrasted sharply with a 2002 survey of 761 women from British Columbia (Bottorff et al., 2002), in which only about 47 percent had heard anything about hereditary breast cancer genes. 

Jolie’s disclosure also coincided with a significant legal moment. Myriad Genetics, the company that developed the first widely used BRCA tests, had attempted to patent the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In June 2013, the US Supreme Court  ruled against the patenting of naturally occurring genes. This decision prevented a monopoly on BRCA testing and reduced costs for patients. The ruling was widely welcomed by clinicians and public health experts and helped expand access to affordable genetic testing. 

By 2014, the influence of Jolie’s announcement could be seen in healthcare systems. A Toronto Cancer Centre reported a 90 percent increase in referrals for genetic counselling after her op-ed. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act expanded coverage for preventive BRCA testing in 2015, making access more affordable for many insured individuals. By 2016, the “Angelina Jolie Effect” had clearly changed how BRCA risk was being discussed, understood, and managed. 

What can we still learn from Angelina Jolie’s story today?  

Hereditary cancer can be a sensitive and emotional subject. Some people worry that learning their BRCA status will create anxiety about their future health. Others hesitate because genetic testing can raise complex family conversations. Even when someone is interested in testing, the process may seem difficult, expensive, or out of reach. 

Jolie’s story demonstrated that understanding your genetic risk can be a practical way to take ownership of your health and your future. She also showed that carrying a BRCA mutation does not define one’s identity, femininity, or experience of motherhood. Since sharing her status publicly and completing her risk-reducing surgeries, Jolie has enjoyed many years of good health. Now at age 50, her proactive choices have likely changed the health trajectory of both herself and her children. These choices helped her avoid the cancers that claimed the lives of several generations of women in her family. Most importantly, her story reinforced that BRCA testing empowers individuals by providing clarity and confidence.  

BRCA Testing Options in British Columbia 

If Jolie’s story piqued your interest or if you would like to get tested for BRCA1/2, there are a number of options available to you. In British Columbia (BC), Canada, BC Cancer’s Hereditary Cancer Program offers free BRCA testing for eligible individuals meeting certain criteria. 

For those with Jewish ancestry, BC Cancer currently offers (as of writing in December 2025) the Jewish BRCA Testing Program, a free and accessible BRCA1/2 test kit for anyone age 19 or older with at least one Jewish grandparent.  

If you are ineligible for these programs, but are interested in pursuing private testing, BRCAinBC also lists some private BRCA testing options in Canada .  

If we are to learn anything from Jolie’s story, it’s that when it comes to hereditary cancer, we should consider embracing the cliché that “knowledge is power.” 

References 

• Bottorff, J. L., Ratner, P. A., Balneaves, L. G., Richardson, C. G., McCullum, M., Hack, T., Chalmers, K., & Buxton, J. (2002). Women’s interest in genetic testing for breast cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 11(1), 89. 

• Petrucelli, N., Daly, M. B., & Pal, T. (2025, March 20). BRCA1- and BRCA2-Associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. GeneReviews® - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1247/