CANCER remains one of the most feared words in the English language and, despite greater public awareness than ever before, it remains a taboo subject for many people.

By opting for a double mastectomy, Angelina Jolie has greatly reduced her risks of contracting cancer.

She had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and a 50 per cent chance of ovarian cancer – the odds are now a fraction of what they were.

Being proactive by choosing surgery was, therefore, entirely sensible, though the courage required should also not be underestimated.

However, it is her proactivity in spreading the message about the risks of breast cancer, and its treatment, which deserves the most praise.

As one of the world’s most famous women, she has a powerful voice but she could easily have chosen to keep her health a private matter.

Instead, she has tackled publicity head-on – in the same way that she has tackled the risk of getting cancer.

By putting that risk in perspective and highlighting words such as “beauty” and “femininity” when discussing the results of reconstructive surgery, she has played her full part in helping to lift the taboo.

A mastectomy is, of course, extremely traumatic but it is not the end of the world: beauty and feminity survive.

That is her positive message and it must surely help others who are suffering from cancer, or who are known to have high chances of contracting the disease.