Cancer Charities Applaud 'Brave' Jolie

Cancer charities have applauded Angelina Jolie for her "brave" decision to reveal that she has had surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.

The Oscar-winning actress made the decision after finding out she had a gene which made her prone to breast and ovarian cancer.

Her decision in 2013 to announce her double mastectomy publicly was praised as a watershed moment in efforts to persuade women to get breast cancer screening early and to raise awareness of the need for early detection.

Now ovarian cancer charities have told Sky News they hope the star's announcement about her latest surgery will do the same.

Louise Bayne, chief executive of the charity Ovacome , said: "We really welcome the news that she has successfully had the surgery and applaud her for speaking publicly and openly about it."

There is no screening test for ovarian cancer as there is for breast or cervical cancer so Ms Bayne said she hoped Jolie's case would "pique the public's interest and draw attention to the disease".

Chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer , Annwen Jones, told Sky News: "Taking the decision to have your ovaries removed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer is an incredibly difficult decision for any woman.

"Angelina Jolie's decision to tell her story is very brave, and she plays a vital role in raising awareness of ovarian cancer and the BRCA gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

"It's so important for women and GPs to be aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer – bloating, feeling full, needing to wee more and abdominal pain – as there is no proven screening programme."

Charities have said they are anticipating an increase in women asking to be tested.

Public interest in the lives of celebrities means that when stars are open about battles with their health, it can prompt a general discussion about diseases which increase awareness.

Many charities and not-for-profit organisations rely on the help and support that comes from having famous faces fronting their campaigns.

And other high-profile figures have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness of diseases based on their own experiences.

:: Michael J Fox

After the Back To The Future star was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease he set up the fundraising charity MichaelJFox.org which has raised millions of pounds.

Experts say his organisation has had a huge impact on developments in the treatment of the disease.

:: Hugh Jackman

The Wolverine actor has spoken openly about surgery he has had to have a basal cell carcinoma removed from his nose. He has urged the public to use sunscreen to avoid skin cancer.

:: Terry Pratchett

The author became a patron of the Alzheimer's Research UK in 2008 and wrote about "pussy footing" around discussion of dementia.

Sir Terry to called for further investment in research: "Technology and a trained and compassionate care system can help paper over the cracks, but, a decade since the last proclaimed development, science needs to deliver on its promises.

"There's more money floating around the Government for research, but barely enough to buy a middling premier league striker.

"If we're serious about this thing, and want to match the fanfare with the funding, then more money needs to be found down the back of David Cameron's sofa."

:: Jack Osbourne

The reality TV star was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012.

He set up You Don't Know Jack About MS to "start a new conversation" about the disease. Osbourne uploads 'webisodes' to a site which he hopes will dispel myths, educate and help fellow sufferers.

:: Roy Castle

The entertainer raised millions of pounds for the Lung Cancer Fund when he was diagnosed with the disease. It helped fund an international centre for research.

When he died in 1994 the charity changed its named to The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

:: Jade Goody

The reality star died from cervical cancer in 2009 at the age of 27. Before her death she spoke out about the importance of screening which led to an extra 400,000 women getting tested.

The increase was greatest among women under 50 and those closest to Goody in age appeared to be most affected by her experience.