Angelina Jolie gene

noun

The BRCA1 gene, in which mutations may lead to certain cancers.

Meanings

nounAngelina Jolie gene (plural Angelina Jolie genes)

plural Angelina Jolie genes · alternative Jolie gene

  1. informalThe BRCA1 gene, in which mutations may lead to certain cancers.

    [Headline] Briton has his prostate removed to beat cancer risk from 'Jolie gene'

    2013 May 20, Sophie Borland, “Briton has his prostate removed to beat cancer risk from ‘Jolie gene’”, in Daily Mail, page 20
    3 more examples

    Scientists from the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) in San Antonio published work that provides deeper insight into how the Angelina Jolie gene, BRCA1, functions in normal breast tissue and how its loss results in breast cancer.

    2016 March 7, “New Data on ‘Angelina Jolie Gene’”, in Surgical Products, Advantage Business Media

    And yet, it does grate on me when there’s a news story about BRCA and it’s called “the Angelina Jolie gene”, because it just contributes to people not knowing the real name for it. It’s lazy, and it’s inaccurate, too. BRCA1 and BRCA2 aren’t genes you have or don’t have. Everyone has the gene.

    2022 March 17, Laura Pearson, “Opinion: I’m BRCA positive – we need to stop calling it the ‘Angelina Jolie gene’”, in The Independent

    MEN with the 'Angelina Jolie gene' should be given annual prostate cancer checks in a bid to find early signs of the disease, leading scientists say. Institute of Cancer Research experts said men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations were at such high risk they would benefit from screening.

    2025 October 17, “Checks for men with 'Jolie gene'”, in Daily Mail, page 21

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see

Origin

After American actress Angelina Jolie, who had the gene mutation and chose to undergo a preventative double mastectomy and removal of the ovaries.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Angelina Jolie gene. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Angelina%20Jolie%20gene

MLA

“Angelina Jolie gene.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Angelina%20Jolie%20gene. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Angelina Jolie gene,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Angelina%20Jolie%20gene.

Source: Angelina Jolie gene on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.