Sharon Osbourne discusses double mastectomy

New grandmother and cancer survivor Sharon Osbourne has opened up about her decision to undergo a double mastectomy in an emotional interview with Hello!.

The former X-Factor judge revealed that a genetic predisposition which makes her susceptible to breast cancer led to her decision to have both breasts removed.

“As soon as I found out I had the breast cancer gene, I thought: ‘The odds are not in my favor.’ I’ve had cancer before and I didn’t want to live under that cloud: I decided to just take everything off, and had a double mastectomy.”

The matriarch of The Osbourne family became a breakout TV success when the show The Osbournes became a hit for MTV. Her frank and straight-forward approach to parenting, life and managing a marriage to Ozzy endeared her to an army of fans.

This recent decision, that required a nearly 13-hour operation, reflects why she’s so liked by so many.

“For me, it wasn’t a big decision, it was a no-brainer. I didn’t want to live the rest of my life with that shadow hanging over me. I want to be around for a long time and be a grandmother to Pearl. I didn’t even think of my breasts in a nostalgic way, I just wanted to be able to live my life without that fear all the time. It’s not ‘pity me’, it’s a decision I made that’s got rid of this weight that I was carrying around.”

Pearl is the daughter of her son Jack and his wife Lisa Stelly.

Sharon, 60, has been up front about her use of plastic surgery in the past but has decided this will no longer be an option for her. Before the procedure it was discovered that part of her breast implants had leaked into her stomach wall.

It’s been a decade since Sharon was diagnosed with and battled colon cancer. It’s apparent she’s a survivor. Heck, if you can stay married to the “Prince of Darkness” for 30 years you can do just about anything I suppose.

Photo: FayesVision/WENN.com