A new study has found that actress Angelina Jolie's 2013 announcement that she had tested positive for the BRCA1 gene -- and her ensuing double mastectomy -- influenced 30% of women who participated in an online survey to seek similar genetic testing.
Researchers at North Carolina State University posted the survey within three days of Jolie's announcement to investigate whether her actions would influence other women. A total of 356 people across the U.S. completed the questionnaire, 295 of whom were aware of Jolie's announcement, wrote lead author Kami Kosenko, PhD, and colleagues (Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives, July 20, 2015).
Out of 229 female study participants, 30% said they intended to get tested for the BRCA1 gene, the researchers found. In addition, Jolie's influence was associated with whether study participants identified with her.
"Women who identified more strongly with Jolie were more likely to intend to get the genetic testing regardless of whether they had a family history of cancer than women who did have a family history of cancer but did not identify with Jolie," Kosenko said in a statement released by the university.
