Angelina Jolie has undergone a procedure to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes, the actress herself confirms in a moving new op-ed for The New York Times.
Two years after having a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her risks of getting cancer, Jolie explains that she received a call two weeks ago from her doctor.
He told her that a test showed markers that could be a sign of ovarian cancer.
"I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt," Jolie writes. "I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn’t live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren."
Jolie's mother, grandmother and aunt all died of ovarian cancer.
Jolie says she called Brad Pitt upon learning the news. He immediately got on a plane home from France.
"The beautiful thing about such moments in life is that there is so much clarity. You know what you live for and what matters. It is polarizing, and it is peaceful," the mother of six writes.
The Oscar winner goes on to explain that she saw the same physician who treated her mother.
She then had to another five days for test results that would reveal whether there was cancer somewhere in her body, passing that time "in a haze, attending my children's soccer game, and working to stay calm and focused."
The results eventually came and Jolie learned that she was cancer-free.
"I was full of happiness, although the radioactive tracer meant I couldn't hug my children," she writes. "There was still a chance of early stage cancer, but that was minor compared with a full-blown tumor.
"To my relief, I still had the option of removing my ovaries and fallopian tubes and I chose to do it."
Jolie has been forced into menopause as a result of this decision. But says it was the right one to make for herself at this time.
"I feel feminine, and grounded in the choices I am making for myself and my family. I know my children will never have to say, 'Mom died of ovarian cancer.'"
39 Gorgeous Photos of Angelina Jolie
1.
Angelina Jolie at Maleficent Premiere
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Angelia Jolie strikes a beautiful pose at the world premiere of Maleficent. She's a beauty in black.
2.
Angelina Jolie Red Carpet Image
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Angie on the red carpet. As always, the mother of six is still a stunner.
3.
Angelina Jolie People Magazine Photo
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Angie covers People magazine. Inside, she gives a candid interview about her upcoming wedding.
4.
Angelina Jolie at Normal Heart Premiere
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There's a reason Angelina Jolie is sort of bugging out in this photo. She didn't rub her makeup in all the way for The Normal Heart premiere in New York.
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5.
Wait a Minute, Honey...
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Brad Pitt leads Angelina Jolie by the hand in this photo from The Normal Heart premiere. Take note of the white spot on the latter's face.
6.
Angelina Jolie Movie Premiere Fail
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See! Not even Angelina Jolie is perfect! Take a look at her face upon arriving at the NYC premiere of The Normal Heart.
7.
Angelina Jolie with Brad Pitt
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OOPS! As you can see here, Angelina Jolie forgot to finish her makeup job before posing for photos at The Normal Heart premiere.
8.
Angelina Jolie Elle Photo
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Angelina in Elle magazine. The actress looks gorgeous, as always.
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9.
Angelina Jolie Elle Cover
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Angie covers the new issue of Elle. Inside the mag, she discusses her feelings about Brad and her kids.
10.
Angelina Jolie UN Ambassador
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Angelina was born into a wealthy show business family. Her father is renowned actor Jon Voight.
11.
Angelina and Daughter
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Angelina Jolie and daughter Vivienne in Maleficent. This is going to be great!
12.
Brad and Angelina at the Oscars
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie pose for photographers on the red carpet of the 2014 Academy Awards - and look great while doing so!
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13.
Maleficent Poster
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Angelina Jolie is Maleficent. Check out this epic movie poster of her as the villain.
14.
Angelina Jolie Risking Her Life
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Is Angelina Jolie risking her life for another baby? So the celebrity gossip reports say.
15.
Angelina Jolie at Film Premiere
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Angelina Jolie strikes a gorgeous pose here on the red carpet. She is on hand for a premiere of World War Z.
16.
Angelina Jolie Smiling
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Angelina Jolie smiles here at the premiere of World War Z. She has a good reason to be happy.
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17.
Angelina Jolie on the Red Carpet
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Angelina Jolie poses here on the red carpet with Brad Pitt. It's her first public appearance since announcing her mastectomy.
18.
Pitt and Jolie Photo
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie pose for a photo. Great couple.
19.
Brangelina Married!?
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Are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie married? This says so ... but no.
20.
Angie Jolie
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Angelina Jolie smiles here at The 2013 American Society of Cinematographers Awards. It was at the Grand Ballroom inside the Hollywood & Highland Center.
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21.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Photo
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt make one of the hottest celebrity couples in recent memory. Go ahead and just try to argue.
22.
Angelina Jolie's Lips
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Angelina Jolie's lips are made for ... kissing. Wearing lipstick. Talking. Whatever your pleasure, they're great!
23.
Angelina Jolie Waves
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Angelina Jolie knows how to strike a pose. Gal can work it like no one else.
24.
Angelina Jolie, Leg
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Look at Angelina Jolie's leg. Brad Pitt gets to look at that every day. Lucky stiff.
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25.
Angelina Jolie Wallpaper
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Check out this Angelina Jolie wallpaper. We would totally paper walls with this picture.
26.
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Picture
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie pose, as does her leg, at the 2012 Academy Awards.
27.
Brad and Angie
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. It's a lot to take in, visually.
28.
Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt at the SAG Awards
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the 2012 SAG Awards.
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29.
Angelina Jolie at SAG Awards
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Angelina Jolie at the 2012 SAG Awards. What a stunner.
30.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Love
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are so in love. You can just see it.
31.
Angelina Jolie at the Golden Globes
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Angelina Jolie at the Golden Globes in January 2012. She's looking good as always.
32.
Angelina Jolie in Marie Claire
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Angelina Jolie is seen here in Marie Claire. She talks about having more kids, among other topics.
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33.
Angelina Jolie on Nightline
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Angelina Jolie appears on Nightline in December 2011.
34.
Angelina Jolie Vanity Fair Cover
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Angelina Jolie on the cover of Vanity Fair. October 2011 style.
35.
Jolie and Pitt Picture
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Jolie and Pitt. Angelina and Brad. BRANGELINA if you will. These two are always celebrity news staples.
36.
Ange J.
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Angelina Jolie rules. Don't even front.
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37.
Angelina Jolie For Louis Vuitton
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This is Louis Vuitton's new ad featuring Angelina Jolie for its "Core Values" campaign. Very Zen-like.
38.
Saint Angelina
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Angelina Jolie is rather saintly. At least she looks it in this photo!
39.
Brad and Angelina Pic
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the red carpet. Good to see she let him out of the house, but you can see he's still on a short leash.
The End.
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