TIME France debuted its first ever issue earlier this month – with none other than Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie on the front cover!
The inaugural issue of TIME France will be historic for several reasons. As well as being the debut issue, it is also the first time the mom-of-six has really opened up about making the difficult decision to undergo preventative surgeries after discovering she carried a gene that significantly increased her risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
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Angelina Jolie Shows Off Her Mastectomy Scars And Chest Tattoo In 'TIME'
Shot by renowned photographer Nathaniel Goldberg, the striking cover image shows the 50-year-old Maria star wearing a low-cut black long-sleeved top that subtly reveals her mastectomy scars and gives fans a glimpse of her chest tattoo. The styling is understated and elegant, keeping the focus firmly on the actress and director's powerful message.
In the accompanying interview, the Eternals actress opened up about the deeply personal decision she made in 2013 to undergo a double mastectomy as a preventative measure. Two years later, she also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in a separate preventative surgery. Her choices were shaped by her family history – her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, passed away from breast cancer – as well as the knowledge that her own genetic risk was extremely high due to carrying a faulty copy of the BRCA1 gene.
"My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent," the Maleficent star explained, adding: "I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer." Jolie then said that revealing her scars publicly for the first time was intentional, and intended to reflect solidarity with other women who have undergone similar experiences…
"I share these scars with many women I love. And I'm always moved when I see other women share theirs," the Atelier Jolie founder told the publication. "I wanted to join them, knowing that TIME France would be sharing information about breast health, prevention, and knowledge about breast cancer."
Angelina Jolie Calls For Greater Access To Genetic Testing And Screening
Elsewhere in the interview, the Without Blood director highlighted the importance of access to genetic testing, screening, and preventative care, stressing that a woman's ability to make informed health decisions should never be limited by financial barriers or location.
"Every woman should always be able to determine her own healthcare journey and have the information she needs to make informed choices: genetic testing and screening should be accessible and affordable for women with clear risk factors or a significant family history," she declared.
The Couture actress added: "Healthcare decisions must be personal, and women must have the information and support they need to make those choices. Access to screening and care should not depend on financial resources or where someone lives."
