Study: ‘Angelina Effect’ Led to Increase in Breast Cancer Referrals and Testing
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ABC/Rick Rowell(NEW YORK) — A new study from the United Kingdom found a 2.5 percent increase in hereditary breast cancer referrals, which they linked to the publicity given to the BRCA1 gene when actress Angelina Jolie opted for a double mastectomy last year.
The study, published in the journal Breast Cancer Research, found that more than 4,800 referrals were made to medical clinics that specialize in treating women with a family history of breast cancer in the two months after Jolie’s announcement. That figure is more than double the 1,900 from before her announcement, a phenomenon referred to as the “Angelina Effect.”
Additionally, testing for BRCA genes doubled for six months following the news of Jolie’s decision.
The researchers noted that the referrals were appropriate and not due to excess worry.
Other studies have noted a similar impact of Jolie’s announcement, finding that it led to a surge in breast cancer referrals and BRCA testing.
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