LOS ANGELES: Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie recently went under the knife. She has revealed that she had to undergo an operation for double mastectomy after some generic tests showed that there was a high probability she could develop breast cancer.

In a medical column of an international newspaper, she admitted that she preferred a surgery at this juncture because she feared she might have to battle the disease like her mother who fought for a decade before she died.

In the column, she wrote, “I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made,” she further added, “My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer.”

She explained the feeling after operation, “You wake up with drain tubes and expanders in your breasts. It does feel like a scene out of a science-fiction film. But days after surgery you can be back to a normal life,” she said.

“Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. There have been many advances in this procedure in the last few years, and the results can be beautiful.”

Jolie also acknowledged the psychological effects of such a treatment, “On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.”

The 37-year-old actress who has six children says she is happy that her chances of cancer have reduced from 87 percent to just under 5 percent now. She is elated that she can tell her kids that they are not going to lose her to cancer.

Her husband, Brad Pitt has been supportive all along, and was present throughout the surgery, she said.