Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt has said he fully supports his partner Angelina Jolie's decision to go public on having a double mastectomy.

The Oscar-winning actress revealed she underwent the procedure and reconstruction after learning she carried the BRCA1 gene, which gave her a 87% chance of developing breast cancer.

As a result of the preventative surgery the 37-year-old mother-of-six said her chances of being stricken are now just five per cent.

In a statement Pitt said: 'Having witnessed this decision firsthand, I find Angie's choice, as well as many others like her, absolutely heroic.

'All I want is for her to have a long and healthy life, with myself and our children. This is a happy day for our family.'
Speaking to USA Today, he added: 'I'm quite emotional about it, of course.

'She could have stayed absolutely private about it and I don't think anyone would have been none the wiser with such good results.

'But it was really important to her to share the story and that others would understand it doesn't have to be a scary thing.

'In fact, it can be an empowering thing, and something that makes you stronger and us stronger.'

Pitt said he was full of admiration for the way Jolie kept many engagements - some of them abroad - whilst having treatment.
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