“Kelly Osbourne carries the same cancer gene as Angelina Jolie” links

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne carries the same BRCA1 cancer gene as Angelina Jolie. [Jezebel]
Sam Taylor-Johnson is officially done with the FSOG films. [LaineyGossip]
The Germanwings co-pilot deliberately brought down the plane. [CDAN]
Josh Groban is totally fine with questions about his sexuality. [Wonderwall]
Kelly Brook works some skin-tight jeans well. [Celebslam]
Woody Allen tried to hook up with 18-year-old Mariel Hemingway. [Dlisted]
Rihanna dropped a new song, not her full album as hinted. [I’m Not Obsessed]
Rihanna gives crazy eyebrows on her new album cover. [IDLY]
Miley Cyrus is vexed over Patrick Schwarzenegger‘s spring break. [ICYDK]
Mariah Carey sang Mariah Carey songs in a car. [The Frisky]
Jordana Brewster wore a cute Paule Ka/ASOS ensemble. [RCFA]
Here’s a way to win Madonna‘s new Rebel Heart album. [PopBytes]
Chris Pine in a deleted scene from Princess Diaries 2. [Seriously OMG WTF]

Kelly Osbourne

Photos courtesy of WENN

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91 Responses to ““Kelly Osbourne carries the same cancer gene as Angelina Jolie” links”

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  1. drea says:

    She will do anything for attention wont she

    • Neelyo says:

      I thought she was just going to jump on the weight loss bandwagon, but this is hardcore.

    • Rose says:

      I thought the same thing!

    • Tarsha_ says:

      I support Kelly speaking out, just as I do Angelina, or any other woman. Kelly didn’t just out of the blue bring it up, she was on a panel and every panellist addressed it, not just her.

      • Babalon says:

        Additionally, this is vitally important. People in their 20’s and 30’s, with family history, need to be tested.

  2. SnowGlow says:

    Oh so Rihanna is a singer? I thought she just walked around in awful outfits. I kid, I really loved her loud era.

  3. Tiffany :) says:

    The Germanwings update is heartbreaking. Horrible.

  4. lucy2 says:

    I dislike Kelly O, but have sympathy for her knowing what’s ahead of her. Best of luck to her, and good to have more people drawing attention to it.

    The plane story is so horrible.

  5. Sadly says:

    Yes. A lot of attention seeking. I know quite a few people with that gene. They don’t go crowing about it: me me me.

    • Peggy says:

      I don’t think Kelly is crowing. Who would crow about future health problems?
      Her sister had breast cancer at twenty-two, everyone knows her mother’s health story.
      And if the people you know don’t “crow” about it good, for them.

      • Kara says:

        Kelly crows, Queen Angelina is BRAVE. Isn’t that how it goes?

      • KellyBee says:

        @ Kara

        Hmmm No.

        @ Sadly

        I agree with Peggy I also don’t think Kelly was crowing about it. If people took the time to click the link and watch the video then they would know that it was the topic of discussion on “The Talk”. Kelly just gave her opinion just like the other hosts did.

      • Lucy2 says:

        I don’t see this as crowing either. Her family history is well known, and like her or not, she is a public figure, and maybe connects to a younger generation. Her speaking out on this as well can be a reminder to younger women to know their history and be viligant too. There are plenty of other reasons to complain about her, but not this.

    • Uh yes, I think Kim K has the attention-seeking gene..oh, that’s not what you meant?

  6. teehee says:

    I wonder why no men ever get their prostate removed, either as preventative or as curative measures.
    I wonder why women are not only encouraged but praised highly, to butcher themselves, either for means of birth control, cosmetic means, or as cures/preventions.
    Doesnt that point out the ludicracy of it all– that men dont do this? What is it that makes the female body literally disposable and unwanted?
    Why arent there prostograms— where men get smashed as ‘preventative’ care, and thereafter are at higher risk for cancer? Etc?

    I wont take a postion because I have no interest in it being attacked, but…. this poses serious questions.

    • Sirsnarksalot says:

      I think men don’t generally have the prostate removed preventatively because there’s no clear genetic marker, it happens late in life for them, and the surgery to remove it often causes impotence and Incontinency. It not really a good comparison.

      • Angel says:

        Thank you. Also, prostate cancer tends to be slow moving and reasonably easy to cure (my 85 year-old grandfather has it now, he goes and gets a shot once a month – that’s it). I am not saying that it never kills or that it is not serious but cancer can be a trigger word equaling death when truthfully the many different types of cancer act very differently.

      • Lady D says:

        I remember reading about seniors with cancer in a course I took. The article stated they usually died with cancer, not because of cancer.

      • Heather says:

        Breast cancer is so close to a lymph node that once it makes it’s way there, it spreads throughout your body very quickly. Your prostate is quite far from a lymph node and you have plenty of symptoms before it starts to spread, simply because that plumbing will malfunction, whereas your breast will be sore, but you might ignore that.

      • AntiSocialButterfly says:

        @Heather- Lymph nodes are everywhere, and the abdomen/pelvis are full of them.

    • ilovesunnydaze says:

      My father and father in law had theirs removed. PSA levels can be detected by a blood test. What someone does with their body is a personal thing. To each their own. I dont know that I would call Angie heroic or brave considering she never had cancer. I’d say the people who have actually had the diagnosis and gone through the chemo etc brave. I feel sorry for her that at 39 she is menopausal and had to even make that choice. At least she had a choice.

      • Peggy says:

        I’m sure Angie would not want you to feel sorry for her, she is making the best of her draw.
        Feel sorry for people that cannot get medical help.
        So sorry she did not wait for your sake to get cancer and then be brave. I’m sure those that had cancer, if they had a choice would’ve preferred prevention, instead of going through all the chemo and radiation, but then they would not be brave.

      • ilovesunnydaze says:

        Umm Peggy, I dont think your snarky comment was necessary. I think I have a right to an opinion without some bitchy comment criticising it. I’m not throwing any shade at anyone. Chill out!

      • JenniferJustice says:

        I get what you’re saying SunnyDaze. I felt the same way with all the praise and glory re her having her natural breast tissue removed due to possible future breast cancer. I understand why she did it. I’m sure it was gut-wrenching to have to do so, but she is rich, has the best medical care and could afford to immediately have breast implants. She had to make some hard decisions and her body has been changed which is difficult to accept for some women. That said, it’s not the same as a regular jane having a double mastectomy with no resources to have breast implants or even great medical care. Tough choices and working through it all is a challenge and can be heartbreaking. I praise Jolie for not whining or acting miserable in the face of all she’s had to go through, , but I don’t see it as brave. It’s more about making the best of horrible circumstances. Nobody expects or wants anybody to get cancer. I know that’s not what you meant.

      • BNA FN says:

        You are a very uninformed person. My good friend died from ovarian cancer about a years ago. I would bet my life if she had known about some of the tests available she would have gladly give up her entire life saving to get tested. The many nights and days of throwing up and incontinent, sore in the mouth, teeth falling out, hair falling, it was heart wrenching to watch. If I had to make that decision to take off my breasts, ovaries, Ect. I would gladly do so after watching what my friend went through. Angle never said she was brave, Ect. Angelina only shared her story to encourage others, mostly women to check with their doctors and asks questions. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

      • Tarsha_ says:

        I didn’t know you had to have cancer and go through cancer to qualify as being ‘brave’. Personally I think being proactive and taking responsibility and exercising preventative care is braver than reactive measures.

      • ilovesunnydaze says:

        Considering I volunteer in a Cancer Centre I would hardly call myself uninformed. I’ve seen things no human should have to endure and more than most ever will. So you watched your friend suffer and die and you’re an expert now?

      • Tarsha_ says:

        If you volunteer in a cancer centre you should know that the best cure is prevention.

      • ilovesunnydaze says:

        Tarsha, tell that to someone who has a brain tumor. How the hell do you prevent that? Or someone who has lukemia? A child no less. What an ignorant comment!

      • Tarsha_ says:

        I think its more than obvious I was talking about cases where people have a choice. I shouldn’t have to make that disclaimer because you cannot comprehend. I think to suggest a person wait and do nothing and then be a ‘hero’ by putting yourself through chemo is an ignorant comment! Not just ignorant, but plain irresponsible!

      • ilovesunnydaze says:

        Ugh! Where did I suggest they do nothing? Where did anyone say that?

    • GracePM says:

      Perhaps because prostate cancer is easier to detect earlier, and therefore treatable? The question should be are we researching reliable ways to detect ovarian cancer earlier?

      • Maxybabe says:

        So sorry for your friend, @bna fn, and for your loss. When you are staring down the barrel of the cancer gun (as I have) you have to make the decision for yourself only, no-one can imagine the pain of your friend and how unfair it is that women cannot get these tests done as a matter of course. I salute anyone who makes these decisions, however they are perceived by the outside world, it does not matter, block out the noise and do what you want. I wish Angelina well and Kelly if she decides to go ahead with the surgery. Hugs to you bna fn xxx

    • cr says:

      “I wonder why women are not only encouraged but praised highly, to butcher themselves, either for means of birth control, cosmetic means, or as cures/preventions.”
      While I understand your point, I wouldn’t consider someone who has preventive mastectomy because of very high risk of developing breast cancer as ‘butchering’ themselves, nor in the same category as someone who has what might be called ‘excessive’ plastic surgeries (say Jocelyn Wildenstein).

      • lisa2 says:

        I think you should maybe find the percentage of women that put off certain procedures then find out it is too late to do something.

      • cr says:

        @lisa2, did you intend to respond to me or teehee?

    • Sisi says:

      BRCA2 is another hereditary mutation, and it affects men as well, and yes they consider to have mastectomies.

    • KellyBee says:

      You should really educate yourself before making broad statements like ( I wonder why no men ever get their prostate removed, either as preventative or as curative measures. ) because that’s an completely untrue statement.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      @TeeHee, actually, older men often do get their prostates removed to prevent problems but there is no genetic marker currently to show that anyone is at risk for that cancer.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      It is so unhelpful to talk about this medical surgery as butchery. Many women have died because they are afraid of being seen as less than a woman after a mastectomy or hysterectomy.

      Let me say that again: many women have died because they are afraid of the social stigma of having their reproductive organs removed.

      As a society, we need to support women who have to make these complex life or death choices. Using hyperbole is harmful.

      • Ennie says:

        +1
        there are doctors out there who say that they are not “women mutilators”, while their patients can bleed to death because of an uterus full of myomas.
        She already had children. It is her choice, instead of living a life of continuous fear. She still will have to sreen herself, but the odds are lower and she may feel able to live and enjoy her family instead of feeling that cancer will attack in a few years.

      • Ange says:

        + a million.

        The fact you’re making this some sort of weird gender based crusade is kind of embarrassing. The comparisons aren’t even on par for heaven’s sake. I’m a feminist and this sort of talk really makes us all look bad.

    • Bridget says:

      This was you not taking a position?

    • Tarsha_ says:

      Sorry but using the term ‘butchering’ is deeply offensive and rather ignorant. It says a lot that you thought that way. I had my gallbladder removed last year after having gallstones slip out of the gallbladder and block bile ducts and 3 bouts of very severe acute Pancreatitis attacks from gallstones. Pain I would not wish on anyone, not even the most evil serial killer imaginable. If I kept it in, it would have eventually killed me. Are you saying I ‘butchered’ myself? Removing a non-essential organ, whether it be a gallbladder, ovaries or breasts is not ‘butchering’, its called taking responsibility for your health and self-preservation. Being proactive. Breast cancer is a very very fast and aggressive form of cancer, particularly with the gene that Angelina has. It is rare for a man to die of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is quite slow-moving and does not metastasise as fast as breast cancer does. Ovarian cancer is far worse than breast cancer, it has almost a nil percent survival rate. Those are the fundamental differences and realities.

    • Crumpet says:

      Oh my goodness. I certainly hope you have come back here and read the replies. And gotten educated about cancer treatment and prevention.

    • wiffie says:

      There are no “prostograms” to “smash” the prostate because it is an internal organ…. Unlike the breasts …

      And as far as women being expected to and praised for “butchering” themselves for birth control, it’s actually an easier procedures for men to get vasectomies, so with couples, men most often get vasectomies before women get tubes tied.

      Everyone else covered the cancer bases well with your comment, so I’ll leave that be.

    • AntiSocialButterfly says:

      Regarding prevention:
      Because 1) nerve damage causing erection (& therefore) fertility issues is a prominent risk (in addition to significant blood loss- it’s very vascular), and 2) fluid from the prostate provides a nutritive/nourishing medium for semen, and the muscles of the prostate help propel the semen- therefore fertility issues would be widespread.

      Radical Prostatectomy is a curative (it is hoped, for some cases)
      intervention. If you haven’t got a medical education of any sort ( and clearly you don’t, no offence), Google can still be your friend.

      Also, **I** decided to have my tubes tied 13 years ago after three children ( that was my limit, despite hubby’s request for more), and besides preventive yearly care and general daily good health measures, it is by far the best medical decision I have EVER made. I feel sad for your broad and seemingly willful ignorance, and hope you are moved by all these responses to educate yourself on these issues and more.

    • Bob Loblaw says:

      Men get breast cancer too, you know? There is no comparison between the two treatments prostate cancer is very different from breast cancer and therefore they are treated differently. Learn about cancer don’t just assume inherent sexism.

  7. Guesto says:

    I’m no fan of Kelly O but why the negativity re her talking about her own situation? Angelina Jolie’s purpose in speaking out was to inform and bring attention to and generate discussion of a very harrowing issue that affects many women. Kelly should be able to talk about it without shade or charges of attention seeking.

    • anamarie says:

      I’m not a fan of Kelly or Angie, and I also think AJ purpose of speaking about it was to bring attention to the subject. When all the people talk about how Angie was so brave to do it and then talk about it, shouldn’t Kelly be too? I agree Kelly should be able to talk about something that most likely will effect her life. Angie wasn’t the first, only, and last to have this done unfortunately.

      • Me44 says:

        Pierce Brosnan’s first wife died of Ovarian Cancer and then his stepdaughter died of it 2 years ago.

    • ilovesunnydaze says:

      I agree.

    • JenniferJustice says:

      Because their motivations are not the same. Angelina shares her experiences because she wants other women facing similar circumstances to not feel alone and to make choices that best protect their health, and because she has is a very busy woman with a huge fan base, so she’s letting people know why she’s not working or out and about right now. Kelly, on the other hand, is riding coat tails for attention. She has a completely different agenda…..which is simply “look at me! look at me!”

      • Guesto says:

        The fear is the same. I’m not disagreeing with you that Kelly, like so many ‘celebs’ with not much to offer, is prone to jumping on bandwagons for a bit of attention, but Jolie’s OP will have resonance with any women facing the same dilemma, and Kelly happens to be one of those women. I’m happy to give her (and anyone else who decides to talks about this issue, regardless of whether I like/respect them or not) a sympathetic break on this one.

      • Nancy says:

        You don’t know that. Perhaps Jolie’s motivations are as you say, but to say another woman with the same mutation is an Attention Whore is showing how irrational people can be with the Saint Jolie praise. Jolie is not the only woman in the public eye who cares about other women’s health. What a terrible thing to say about Kelly O.

      • KellyBee says:

        @ Nancy

        I don’t think it has anything to do with “Angelina praise” but more about Kelly.

        I remember when Jack come out about having Multiple sclerosis and Kelly commentrd on it people called her a attention whore then too..

      • JenniferJustice says:

        I did not call Kelly an “attention whore”. I said she rode coat tails. You calling her an attention whore only shows how you view her, but yes, I agree even though I didn’t use those words – you did. And, no, I don’t know anybody’s motivations on this site. Nobody does – that’s why we are all speculating on here, because this is a site meant to provoke reaction and yes, speculation. It doesn’t take a scientist to see Angelina is being informative, sharing, advising even, while Kelly is the obnoxious kid in the background jumping up and down yelling, “me too! me too!” That doesn’t mean I don’t feel for anybody carrying this gene. But it’s not like Kelly ever mentioned this before or had anything meaningul to share about having this dreaded gene, just that she has it too, so she has something in common with AJ and at a very convenient time – following a rather epic foolish rant that bit her in the hind end and made her look really stupid. She carries a possibly lethal gene – I hope it never develops into anything remotely threatening. That said, girl is an opportunist if I ever saw one. Apparently to you too, or you wouldn’t have appropriately titlted her an attention whore.

  8. Kim1 says:

    Well my cousin chose to not” butcher herself”.It was her choice.I respected her choice.Her funeral was Monday.She knew the family history, including my mother dying from breast cancer.She decided to focus on her diet,exercise, quit stressful job,etc and get mammograms and ultrasounds twice a year.Unfortunately she developed an inflammatory breast cancer that was very aggressive.I think it is rare.
    I tested negative for BRCA1 .My cousin tested positive but plenty of women who carry the defective gene will never get cancer.Just like many women with no family history still get breast and ovarian cancer.
    Respect Medical Choices

  9. fricknfrack says:

    I’m BRCA1 positive and I completed my prophylactic surgeries the same week as Angelina. I’m an average “Jane”. Stay at home wife and mom to five kids. Our insurance covered a lot of my surgeries. My plastic surgeon was out of network and we had to pay $1k upfront. Total I think my mastectomy, reconstruction and bilateral salpingo oophorectomy and hysterectomy cost us about $5k. We saved up for it knowing since 2009 my BRCA1 status. Screening isn’t cheap either. Every six months I had to go in for a diagnostic mammogram or MRI. Diagnostic means it has to be read on site and you have to pay extra for that. $535 for mammo and $787 for MRI. Oh and then I got to have a trans vaginal ultrasound every six months too for $45.

    Having to make these decisions sucks, but guess what sucks more? Having to tell your husband and young kids you have cancer. I was nine years old and had to go to chemo treatments with my mom, she was in ICU for a week because she became so ill. She then got primary peritoneal cancer (related to ovarian) at the age of 58. I watched her struggle through chemo and eventually die three years later. She suffered in her death and anyone who says screening and early detection is better than preventative surgery can get bent. She was my best friend and I miss her every day. I know for a fact she would of had these surgeries given the choice. She ended up having the same surgeries I’ve had, but it was too late. Her second bout cost insurance over 3 million in treatment.

    I have not mutilated my body. I have safeguarded my health to have a future with my family. My recovery after my mastectomy did not go as planned and it was painful and difficult. It took three surgeries in four months to complete. I cried nearly everyday the first four weeks after my mastectomy just thinking of what it’d be like to recover like this and having to do chemo. It broke my heart to think of women and men having to go through this. My recent surgery has been easier to recover from but its no cake walk. I’ll be glad to have this behind me.

    The more publicity the better, I don’t care if it’s a celebrity or not. Knowing your family health history is important. Having options and access to affordable health care is important for everyone. I think by these celebrities coming forward it will help destigmatize these preventative surgeries and help get people talking about gene mutations and most importantly health care. And yes men can be affected by this too. My mutation comes from my grandfather, he had prostate cancer and died at 68 from a brain aneurysm, my uncle is BRCA1 too and he had esophageal cancer.

    I had an 80% risk of getting breast breast cancer and 48% risk of ovarian cancer by the age of 70. My risk has been reduced to less than 1% for both and that sounds pretty damn good to me. Yes, I could be taken out by a bus…but that’d be out of my control. This was in my control and I can gladly say I did all that I could to be here and raise my kids and enjoy a long life with my darling husband.

    • BNA FN says:

      Great post Frickand frack. All the best to you and continued good health to you and family.

    • Guesto says:

      Brava, fricknfrack.

    • Andrea1.... says:

      @fricknfrack wow! You’re such a strong woman. I’m So sorry for all you have gone through and your loss… You’re going to pull through stronger than ever! Thanks for sharing your story.

    • KellyBee says:

      Right on fricknfrack!!!!!!!!!

      Wishing you a long healthy life.

    • Jen43 says:

      You are very brave. I wish you and your family all the best.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      Thank you so much for your post. It was very powerful and informative. Hugs to you and your family.

      “I have not mutilated my body. I have safeguarded my health to have a future with my family.”

      In addition to being a cancer survivor, my mother also works as a breast cancer care coordinator at a hospital. It is tragic the number of women who have put off going to the doctor after they find a bump for fear of the surgery that would remove their breast tissue. They talk openly with my mother about their fears of beings seen as less than a woman, of being seen as damaged goods. That is so tragic. A woman is more than just her breasts, ovaries and uterus.

    • AntiSocialButterfly says:

      Huge hugs to you, FricknFrack!! And FWIW, I would have made the exact same choices. My sis was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago ( not genetic) & had a mastectomy. We talked about her option to have a prophylactic mastectomy on the other side as being a wise choice, and she took it. I told her, “I would, were I in your position” . She remains cancer -free,
      in 11 months she will hit the five year marker. 😀

  10. Sylvia says:

    I really don’t know if Kelly is telling the truth since she looks for attention. Just like she lied about leaving the Fashion Police.

    • Tiffany says:

      No. I don’t think she will take it that far. Her mother and sister had/have it. I believe her.

    • Tarsha_ says:

      I believe her since her mother Sharon Osbourne had the same double mastectomy procedure as Angelina.

    • Kim1 says:

      Sharon talked about Kelly having the gene years ago after Angie had the first surgery.I saw the show Kelly mentioned it and talked about being the child of a cancer patient.She wasn’t trying to garner attention.She was stating a fact relating to the topic.

  11. neer says:

    Just want to post my comment here since this thread is related to what Angelina Jolie recently wrote re health condition…

    When I read on March 24 (Tuesday) the new Op-Ed of AJ, “Diary of a Surgery”, I was teary-eyed once again. I knew she would eventually undergo ovarian operation based on her previous Op-Ed, “My Medical Choice” & often wondered when she would do it. Now that she finally did it, I was still shocked but concerned with great admiration & much respect for her BRAVERY & SELFLESS public revelation about her medical condition in her pure intent of encouraging women to consider available options ONLY after careful research & series of medical consultations & tests/ examinations besides family & financial considerations.

    Bear in mind, the key important words/ phrases in her Op-Ed are:

    – useful information
    – stay calm & focused
    – what you live for and what matters
    – more than one way to deal with any health issue
    – not possible to remove ALL risk
    – expect some physical changes
    – a part of life
    – not easy to make decisions
    – possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue
    – seek advice
    – learn about the options
    – make choices that are right for you personally
    – KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

    She decided to share a very personal matter or information to the public NOT because she wanted controversy or to be talked about BUT rather in order to help other women through her experience somehow. She doesn’t need to be famous for this because she already is. She is AJ!!! She is not just famous but enormously famous. She just wanted for more discussion & possible positive results to further research & government support on women’s health issue.

    Every time she writes her Op-Ed, it has a great impact or effect on people. It surely starts discussion. The public just don’t read what she writes BUT really talk thoroughly what she is sharing & its related issues. It certainly creates debates & generates varied opinions. Mostly, people lauds her personal choice especially knowing that she has assessed her health condition with much care by seeking the advice of medical authorities. She is in constant consultations with her doctors before she came up with a major decision. So, AJ is just sending a message that only make a personal decision if armed with necessary, relevant information that goes with it.

  12. LANA says:

    Kelly is always trying to get attention. Pathetic.

    • jwoolman says:

      What exactly did you expect Kelly to do? She was part of a discussion on the topic. Was she supposed to keep quiet about her relevant family and personal genetic situation? I imagine she was there precisely because it was public knowledge that she has the same gene.

  13. LAK says:

    I don’t understand why KO is saying she has AJ’s cancer gene. Is this statement of intent as far as action or just putting it out there to ride AJ’s coat tails?

    • Tarsha_ says:

      If you read the previous comments you will see she was part of a panellist discussion on a talk show, so she was no more seeking attention than the other panellists. All she did was comment on a topic the other panellists did. That’s all.

    • jenna says:

      Read the whole thing. Not everyone wants to just copy Angie. Kelly talked about it before, because family has had cancer and she was recently asked questions. She wasn’t talking just for attention.

  14. BNA FN says:

    @Maxybabe, thanks for your kind words about my friend who died from this dreaded decease. I cannot understand all the negative comments for anyone who choose life over death. I could not imagine living with a known time bomb ticking in my body and refused to do something about it. I’m guessing some would rather have the perfect facade and a rotten core. Thank heavens Angie is not one of those people. Angie would rather give info to help others and encourage them to see their doctor, and have a conversation and then make an informed choice, whatever it maybe. Love and kisses maxi babe xxx.

  15. Itsa Reallyme says:

    Josh Groban and Kat Dennings. Interesting pairing.