First of all, I find it absolutely ludicrous that an actress has such influence in our world that women would be empowered to make a major medical decision simply based upon her decision.
lu·di·crousˈlo͞odəkrəs/
adjectiveso foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous.
Let's explore the truth about the issue of genetics and cancer, specifically focusing on the BRCA genes and breast cancer. First of all, BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes are tumor suppressing genes. These genes assist in repairing damaged DNA as a result of radiation or environmental toxic exposure. Genes express and mutate depending upon signal molecules. Signal molecules, such as hormones, growth factors, and neuropeptides, attach to cell membranes in order to influence the expression or the mutation of genetic factors.
Thus, BRCA genes can be health protective and suppress tumors. When there is a decrease or mutation of the BRCA gene, there is a possibility for other oncogenes to turn on and tumor suppressor genes such as p53 to be mutated. Eventually, the expression and mutation of thousands of genetic factors could lead to the development of breast cancer, given a toxic, imbalanced, internal environment. However, it is not a direct or linear pathway. There must be many factors in place to lead to this cascade of genetic factors.
To declare that Angelina Jolie has bravely fought cancer and won is completely absurd. Yet, this is what some media outlets are declaring. Angelina Jolie never had cancer and chose to remove her breasts as an extreme "preventative" approach to cancer. However, Angelina Jolie has no more protected herself against the development of cancer than someone who has amputated their foot. The reality is that her body still has trophoblast cells capable of mutating into cancer cells given a toxic, oxygen-deprived, imbalanced, internal environment. Trophoblast cells are stem cells available to vital organs for healing and repair. Estrogen, steroid, or growth factors, can direct trophoblast cells to an area of the body that needs healing. When there is too much toxicity or damage to that particular area, these cells may have to mutate into cancer cells in order to survive. The origin of cancer at the cellular level comes from damage to the mitochondria which leads to the damage to DNA, not the reverse. Thus, for prevention and treatment options, we need to be focused more on repairing damaged mitochondria instead of repairing damaged DNA.
Unfortunately, the assumption since The Human Genome Project and The Cancer Atlas Project were launched, has been that damage to DNA is the origin of cancer. After the development of more than 700 targeted gene therapies with the hope of curing cancer, every single one has failed except for one. Simply because the origin of cancer does not come from damaged DNA, targeted gene therapy will never be a successful cancer treatment. Despite any evidence of clinical success, researchers continue to pursue targeted gene therapies with the hope of curing cancer. And more unfortunately, innocent people like Angelina Jolie end up making radical medical decisions not based upon proven scientific theory; rather, on an unproven hypothesis or theory that has yet to die. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news; however, Angelina, you still have the same possibility of developing cancer in any area of your body than you did prior to surgery. Your mitochondria have the same possibility of becoming damaged by toxins and your genes change every day based upon your exposure to carcinogens, nutrition, your thoughts, and your emotions. The best way to be proactive in preventing cancer is to minimize toxic exposure, minimize fear including the fear of developing cancer and the fear of death, increase nutrients which are protective against cancer, and educate yourself on epigenetics, nutrition, and sound science regarding how cancer develops in the body.
Angelina, the reality is that 1.3 million people have been over treated with Western Medical approaches to cancer. Many women have undergone unnecessary surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and mammograms. I hope that you and your family members do not end up being one of those who is over treated or radically treated in a situation that does not call for surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
