Angelina Jolie breaks down after mastectomy tribute from a fan

Los Angeles - Angelina Jolie broke down in tears when a fan paid tribute to her for speaking out about her double mastectomy.

The Unbroken actress - who underwent the preventative procedure in February 2013 after being told she had an 87% chance of getting breast cancer - started sobbing during an appearance on French radio station RTL on Monday after a caller had praised her for having the "courage and bravery" to tell the world about her operation.

In response to the caller, Angelina said: "Oh my god. Thank you for this wonderful message. We are all together in this fight. Not only women, but the fathers, the sons who support us in this fight. I was myself inspired by so many women in my life that if I can in any way contribute to help others, I will.

"I hope we can continue this discussion. Not only ovarian cancer or breast cancer, but all the health problems that women face. As the young woman said, talking about it removes the taboo. I think we should be proud to talk about it."

Angelina - who has children, Maddox, 13, Pax, 11, Zahara, nine, Shiloh, eight, and six-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne with husband Brad Pitt - was moved to tears after the woman rang the radio station to thank her for popularising the taboo subject.

The caller said: "I want to thank Angelina Jolie for having found the courage to say it. And to support this fight with all those we have lost, those who fought and who are real heroines facing the disease.

"By this act of courage and bravery, by announcing her choice by assuming, she helps to demystify and popularise a subject that was taboo in France.

"She is not only an extraordinary woman, but also an extraordinary mom."