'Angelina Jolie effect' boosted genetic testing rates, study suggests

Actor's call for women to seek testing for breast and ovarian cancer mutations raised screening rates but may not have reached those most at risk

Angelina Jolie's revelation that she underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer boosted rates of genetic testing among women, but might have failed to reach those most at risk, new research suggests.

In a 2013 article for the New York Times, Jolie explained her decision to undergo a double mastectomy after finding that she had a mutation in a gene known as BRCA1 that greatly increased her risk of breast and ovarian cancers.