- One year ago, NHS England, together with Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care, launched the ground-breaking BRCA gene testing programme free for anyone with Jewish ancestry.
- Having Jewish genetic heritage increases the risk of having a BRCA gene fault or mutation: One in 40 Ashkenazi Jews will have a BRCA gene mutation, compared to one in 250 of the general UK population. Both men and women can have a BRCA gene fault, and can pass these on, unknowingly, to their children.
- To date, over 25,000 saliva test kits have been delivered across the England and around 11,000 tests have now been processed, with 235 people (2.1%) testing positive with a BRCA gene mutation.
- For more information about the testing programme, and access to a number of wider resources, visit www.jewishbrca.org.
16th January 2025: NHS England, in partnership with Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care continues to drive awareness of the Jewish BRCA Testing Programme following a successful first year in 2024.
The programme which launched in January 2024 with significant uptake, offers free BRCA gene testing for anyone living in England, aged 18 or over with at least one Jewish grandparent, regardless of faith, religious practice, or any other criteria. Research has shown those of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of carrying a mutated BRCA gene, with one in 40 Ashkenazi Jews and around one in 140 Sephardi Jews having a faulty BRCA gene, compared to around one in 250 of the UK general population.
On 15th January 2025, Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care hosted a reception in the North West to raise awareness of the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme. To date, over 25,000 saliva test kits have been delivered across England to men and women with Jewish ancestry. Having a positive test result which is a BRCA gene mutation puts individuals at increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. Up to 40% of ovarian cancer cases, and 10% of breast cancer cases in the Jewish community are associated with a BRCA gene fault.
The testing programme gives individuals who test positive the knowledge and power to make informed choices and allows them to access a range of options, available on the NHS, which in turn will mitigate against the risk of cancer. The gene mutation has a 50% chance of being passed on to children through either their mother or father. However, if someone is aware of their carrier status and wishes to prevent the faulty gene being passed on to any future children, special fertility techniques (PGT – Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing) can achieve this.
Adam from London who tested positive said: “Knowing that you’re BRCA1 positive, that you have a mutation that you may have passed onto the kids, can feel very overwhelming. For me, it was guilt. But we live in a day and age that means we can actually test for this. Because of the incredible support and expertise of Jnetics, Chai and the NHS it is amazing to see the options that are available for me and my family.”
Sami Webber from Hertfordshire tested positive following her mother passing away from cancer and has since had two daughters through PGT said: “I feel like my mum gifted that to me, and what is in our control has been controlled. Neither of my daughters have the BRCA1 gene. That now ends in my line of generations through my side of the family. I am taking all the steps I can so that I can be there for my children and their children if they choose to have them in the future. I will only forever feel grateful for this test.”
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer and Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Southampton, said: “It’s encouraging that so many people have come forward for testing and that hundreds living with an increased risk have been identified and can now be supported to make informed choices about monitoring and risk-reducing options.
We want as many people as possible to take advantage of this innovative testing programme, so please continue to come forward for a simple saliva test if you are eligible. If you are sitting on a testing kit at home, we encourage you to complete and return the testing kit. The majority of people won’t be variant carriers of the BRCA gene, but if you are, the NHS can provide you with appropriate screening or treatment.”
Professor Ranjit Manchanda, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology, Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention & Early Diagnosis, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, and NHS Innovation Accelerator Alumnus commented: “Having spent over 15 years leading the Genetic Cancer Prediction through Population Screening (GCaPPS) Study, it is incredible to see this come to fruition, with over 25,000 people with Jewish ancestry requested a free testing kit in the first year.
This has been a promising start to the campaign which can prevent many more cancers and save many more lives than we did earlier. Four in 10 ovarian and one in 10 breast cancers in the Jewish community are due to a BRCA gene fault and potentially preventable. The programme is part of NHSE’s Long Term Plan to catch more cancer early, when they are easier to treat or prevent them altogether.”
Jnetics CEO Nicole Gordon said: “We are proud to be part of this ground-breaking programme that has proven to be a resounding success in the fi rst year. We are pleased with the uptake of the programme across all sectors of the community from the religious to the unaffiliated. Our mission now is to continue to drive awareness, giving individuals the opportunity to gain knowledge that will help mitigate against the impact of hereditary cancer and ultimately save lives.”
Lisa Steele, Chief Executive at Chai added: “We know it can be daunting to test positive for the BRCA gene mutation. However, finding out means people can make informed choices and get the support they need from us at Chai Cancer Care, Jnetics and the NHS. For more than 30 years Chai Cancer Care has been supporting members of the Jewish community affected by a cancer diagnosis and this programme can have a life changing impact for generations to come.”
For more information about the testing programme, and access to a number of wider resources, visit www.jewishbrca.org.














