"I've been very happy just to see the discussion about women's health expanded and that means the world to me.” 

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie took to the red carpet in London tonight in her first public appearance since she shared the news that she had undergone a double mastectomy.

The Oscar-winning actress was out and about with her fiancé Brad Pitt, for the premiere of his new movie World War Z in London today. 

Jolie, who wore a stunning floor-length black gown featuring mesh panels, stopped to talk to reporters about her recent ordeal.

Speaking to Sky News, she said; "After losing my mum to these issues I'm very grateful for it and I've been very moved by the kind support from people."

Jolie also paid tribute to her partner Pitt, saying; "He's been extraordinary. He's such a wonderful man and a wonderful father and I'm very, very lucky."

Brad also spoke about the family’s ordeal, saying; The biggest fear as a father is keeping the family alive and safe and together... and she did that. I'm getting a bit teary-eyed thinking about it."

Angelina lost her beloved mother Marcheline Bertrand to ovarian cancer in 2007, when Bertrand was only 57. She opted for a double mastectomy after doctors told her she carried the “faulty” BRCA1 gene and had an 87 per cent chance of contracting breast cancer plus a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer.