A mastectomy is one of the most life changing surgical procedures that a woman can go through. It is the surgical removal of a woman's breast. Angelina Jolie recently made headlines with her decision to undergo a double mastectomy because of a faulty gene that exists in her genetic makeup. This gene is scientifically known as the BRCA1 gene. Mutations of this gene can lead to breast and ovarian cancer. Jolie expressed her personal opinions about the surgery and spoke very highly of genetic testing. Jolie was not diagnosed with ovarian or breast cancer but after committing to genetic testing, doctors advised her that she had a very high risk of receiving breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Preventative Mastectomies on the Rise More women are opting to undergo mastectomies as a method of cancer prevention. The amount of women who have chosen to have a mastectomy has skyrocketed by as much as 50 percent in recent years. The American Society of Breast Surgeons completed a study whi...