Research study shows Jolie mastectomy inspired others

Actress Angelina Jolie's decision to undergo a preventative mastectomy to reduce her risk of contracting breast cancer has inspired other women to follow her lead.

Jolie announced her decision in 2013 to have both of her breasts removed because of her elevated genetic risk for breast cancer.

Researchers seeking to determine the impact of that announcement have analyzed data on risk-reducing mastectomies between 2004 and 2014 in the state of New York and in New South Wales in Australia.

The amount of of women undergoing mastectomies nearly doubled in New York with similar results in New South Wales.

Authors of the study say that if celebrities are going to act on genetic testing results and announce their treatment of choice, the medical community needs to be prepared to assess these announcements on public health.

The findings of the study appear in the journal Health Services Research.