How to get tested

NHS BRCA Testing In England

After a successful three-year pilot programme, NHS England is leading work to establish a long-term NHS Jewish BRCA Testing service, which is anticipated to be in place in 2027. In the meantime, genetic testing will continue for people who have already registered for the programme.

If you registered for testing with the programme before 31st October 2025, you should have received your BRCA testing kit. Please ensure to read the information provided in your kit, complete your sample, and return it as instructed so that we can process it for testing before 30th November 2026.

If you have not received your testing kit or wish to speak to someone about your test, please email jewishbrca.programme@nhs.net ​or call the telephone helpline on 020 3437 6001 (open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, with extended hours to 7:00pm on Wednesdays).

If you have a relative with a BRCA gene fault OR have Jewish ancestry and a personal diagnosis (or family history) of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer, you may be eligible for NHS BRCA testing via alternative routes. Please speak to your GP or call the J BRCA telephone helpline (020 3437 6001) for advice if you think this applies to you.

NHS England is committed to continue to offer people with Jewish ancestry testing for BRCA. If you are interested in testing in the future, please enter your email into the relevant space at the bottom of https://nhsjewishbrcaprogramme.org.uk/ to submit an “expression of interest” in future testing, which will be used by the new service provider to update you once this service is open again for new registrations in 2027.

If you registered before 31st October 2025

If you have requested a kit, and did so prior to 31st October 2025 but have not yet received it – do not worry. You will receive a kit. All kits will be distributed by 31st March 2026.

Whenever you receive your testing kit, you can complete and return your sample.
Please do so in a timely manner, but do not be concerned, as the 31st October deadline only applies to registering for testing, and you are still able to return your sample.

You are welcome to contact the NHS team to review the progress of your test via 02034376001 or jewishbrca.programme@nhs.net 

Genetic Counselling Helpine

There is a dedicated genetic counselling helpline run by NHS genetic counsellors for those considering or currently participating in testing through this programme.  The counsellors are able to respond to any clinical or administrative questions and can support individuals in many scenarios including  

  • those considering testing 
  • those awaiting their results 
  • those who have just received their results 
  • those who have tested positive and are waiting to be seen in their regional clinical genetics department.  

The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays. 

Helpline number: +44 20 3437 6001 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER INTEREST & FOR FAQs ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

2. Testing Via Your Regional Genetics Centre.

In some scenarios, testing via your regional genetics centre may be better. For example: 

  • If there is a known BRCA gene mutation in your family. NB- If the mutation was discovered through the Jewish BRCA Testing Programme then testing can be undertaken through the programme too. The family members who has tested positive will be given information about this when they receive their results.  
  • if you have/had breast or ovarian cancer  
  • if there is strong history in your family of the BRCA related cancers.  

To test via your regional genetics, you need to speak to your GP first and request a referral.  

If you are unsure about which service is more appropriate for your personal circumstance, you can call the NHS genetics helpline dedicated to the Jewish BRCA Testing Programme on +44 20 3437 6001.  

NHS BRCA Testing Outside England 

The only options for NHS BRCA testing outside of England is via your regional genetics centre. You are eligible for BRCA testing on the NHS if: 

  • You are Ashkenazi Jewish (or from another high-risk group) AND have a strong family history of breast/ovarian cancer (family history would need to meet certain criteria and this is assessed by genetic counsellor). 
  • You have breast cancer under the age of 40 
  • You have breast cancer under the age of 50 AND you are Ashkenazi Jewish 
  • You have breast cancer over the age of 50 AND you are Ashkenazi Jewish AND you have strong family history of breast/ovarian cancer (family history would need to meet certain criteria and this is assessed by genetic counsellor).  
  • You have ovarian cancer at any age 

For those who have not had cancer and want to explore eligibility for testing, this can be organised via your GP, who will refer you to your regional genetics centre.  

For those who have cancer, testing can be organised via your Oncologist/Breast Surgeon/Breast care nurse/Gynae cancer Surgeon. They will either offer the testing themselves or refer you to your regional genetics service, for undergoing testing.  

People who have/had previously had cancer might want to still ask their GP to refer them to Genetics if their Oncologist, Surgeon etc hasn’t done this. 

Private BRCA Gene Testing

For those not eligible for NHS BRCA testing, testing can be accessed privately.  

Private testing providers vary greatly in the cost and services that they provide. If opting for private testing, we strongly recommend using a service that includes genetic counselling, to ensure that you understand the full implications of receiving a positive result before going ahead.  
 
If you would like to be signposted to a private BRCA testing service or would like to discuss testing with us then please contact Jnetics on 020 8123 5123 or info@jnetics.org. 

A list of information and support resources for those considering BRCA testing can also be found here.