BRCA
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations cause an elevated risk for several cancer types and are up to six times more common in people of Jewish ancestry compared to the general population. BRCA-related cancers are potentially preventable but only if individuals with a mutation are aware of their status. With this knowledge they can take cancer risk reducing steps. Unfortunately, the majority of Jewish ‘BRCA carriers’ in the UK are undetected- each year BRCA-related cancers and deaths occur when they need not. Fortunately, an international shift in BRCA gene testing recommendations & a new NHS testing initiative mean the Jewish community has never been better equipped to tackle BRCA head-on.
What you need to know about BRCA
BRCA refers to two genes – BRCA1 and BRCA2 – that every one of us has. They play a vital role in the prevention of cancer.
Faults, often called mutations, in the BRCA genes can occur in every ethnic group. However, they are disproportionately more common in individuals of Jewish ancestry.
Historically BRCA testing was only recommended to people with a strong history in their family of BRCA-related cancers. This has all recently changed.
BRCA testing can have big implications for both the individual testing and their family. The decision to get tested needs to be carefully considered and fully informed.
NHS England is now offering free BRCA gene testing via The NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme.
The NHS provides genetic counselling and cancer risk reducing measures to anyone identified as having a BRCA gene mutation.
Jewish BRCA in numbers.
ASHKENAZI
1/40
people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a mutation in one of their BRCA genes.
SEPHARDI
1/140
people of Sephardi Jewish ancestry have a mutation in one of their BRCA genes.
GENERAL
1/250
people in the general UK population have a mutation in one of their BRCA genes.
89%
of Jews in the UK with a BRCA gene mutation are unaware of their status.
NEW NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme
NHS England is now offering free BRCA gene testing to anyone:
living in
England
aged 18
or over
with 1 or more Jewish grandparent
With thanks to Katrina Sarig, Professor Ranjit Manchanda and the clinical researchers at Queen Mary University London who’s JHC Review findings were instrumental in the development of this content.
Content written by Jnetics & reviewed by Professor Ranjit Manchanda MD, MRCOG, PhD
Last Review: December 2023
Next Review: December 2024
