Angelina Jolie reveals she's had a double mastectomy: Film star who lost mother to cancer at 56 took decision to have both breasts removed after learning she had an 87% risk of contracting disease

New York – Angelina Jolie revealed in the New York Times that she's had a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of developing cancer, reports The Telegraph.

Jolie decided to speak out about her operation, which she completed on 27 April after three months of medical procedures, so other women can benefit from her experience.

Jolie, 37, made the proactive decision to have a double mastectomy because she carries a faulty gene, making her more likely to suffer from breast and ovarian cancer.

Jolie, whose mother died aged 56 after fighting cancer for almost 10 years, wrote: "Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy.

"I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex."

Jolie added that her "loving and supportive" fiance Brad Pitt was by her side throughout the three-month process this year to remove breast tissue and replace it with implants.

The mother of six was told by doctors the she carried the faulty gene, known as BRCA1, meaning she had an 87% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer.