Life On Top: A Retrospective Look At The Angelina Effect's Impact On Family Planning Programs In Perth

In the early 2000s, Cinemax premiered a softcore drama series that captivated audiences with its steamy portrayal of young professional lives. Life on Top followed four women as they navigated love, careers, and relationships in 1978 New York City. The show's success can be partly attributed to the growing interest in period dramas following the release of HBO's hit series Sex and the City.

However, beyond its raunchy content and retro setting, there lies another story worth exploring - one that connects Life on Top to real-life issues affecting women today: family planning programs. Specifically, this article will delve into how the show relates to The Angelina Jolie Effect and its far-reaching consequences for single state-wide familial cancer programs like those found in Perth, Western Australia.

The Angelina Jolie Effect refers to the surge of interest in genetic testing following actress Angelina Jolia's highly publicized decision to undergo a double mastectomy due to her BRCA1 gene mutation. This increased awareness led many women, particularly those with a history of breast or ovarian cancer in their families, to seek out similar screenings.

Life on Top subtly explores themes related to this phenomenon through its main character Carrie Bradshaw-like protagonist, Lucy. Throughout the series, viewers witness Lucy grapple with difficult choices regarding her own health and future as she navigates relationships while working at a prestigious advertising firm. These plotlines echo real-life scenarios faced by women considering genetic testing for inherited cancers.

In Perth alone, The Angelina Jolie Effect resulted in an significant increase in demand for BRCA1/2 mutation screening among high-risk individuals. This influx put pressure on already stretched resources within state-based familial cancer services (SBFCS). According to data from Genetic Services of Western Australia at King Edward Memorial Hospital, referrals tripled between 2009 and 2010 alone.

While this surge presented challenges for healthcare providers - including longer wait times for appointments and increased costs associated with comprehensive testing packages - it also highlighted the need for improved infrastructure within these programs. As seen in Perth, without adequate funding and support, such initiatives risked being overwhelmed by an influx of patients seeking genetic counseling services.

In conclusion, Life on Top may seem like just another guilty pleasure drama series from yesteryear. However, upon closer inspection, its themes related to family planning - particularly through the lens of The Angelina Jolie Effect's impact on state-based cancer programs in Western Australia - serve as a timely reminder of the far-reaching consequences that can arise when society fails to prioritize women's health and well-being.

References:

1. Freedman R et al. A Retrospective Exploration of the Impact of the Angelina Jolie Effect on Single State-Wide Familial Cancer Program in Perth, Western Australia. Journal of Women & Health 2015; DOI: 10.111/jwh.12651

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