Earlier this year, NHS England together with Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care, launched the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme. It provides free BRCA gene testing for anyone living in England who is aged 18 or over, male or female, and has one or more Jewish grandparent.
The reality for our community is that far too many will be all too aware of the effects that a BRCA mutation can have on people’s lives. Having a BRCA gene fault increases the risk of developing breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer; up to 40% of ovarian cancer cases and up to 10% of breast cancer cases in the Jewish community are associated with a BRCA gene mutation and there is a 50% chance a gene fault will be passed on from parent to child.
This is why the launch of the Jewish BRCA Testing Programme is such a milestone for our community – and for cancer prevention more widely. A free, simple at-home saliva test can now tell you your BRCA genetic status, allowing you to make educated choices and mitigate against the risk of cancer if you do happen to be a carrier.
Why us? Well, the numbers speak for themselves: around 1 in 40 Askenazi Jews and 1 in 140 Sephardi Jews have a mutated BRCA gene, compared to around 1 in 250 in the general UK population. The fact that those with Jewish ancestry are up to six times more likely to be a carrier just demonstrates the importance of this testing programme and we are so pleased to see NHS England’s investment in screening and prevention for our community and beyond.
The Jewish BRCA Testing Programme is part of NHS England’s 10 Year Cancer Plan to catch more cancer early and is the brainchild of Ranjit Manchanda, Professor at Wolfson Institute of Population Health and championed by Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England. Their aim is to use this programme as a blueprint for other communities in the future.
Of course getting tested might feel overwhelming. The implications of a potential positive test are not to be overlooked, and this is exactly why Jnetics and Chai are at the helm of this programme and are committed to ensuring every person gets expert support and care at every stage.
For those that discover they are BRCA positive, knowledge is power. Being equipped with this information means that the NHS can provide further testing, surveillance and treatment – preventing potential cancers in later life.
Genetics do not discriminate – so whether you’re male or female, old or young, a regular Shul-goer or someone who never goes at all - if you have Jewish family in your past, even just one Jewish grandparent, this test might save your life in the future.
To register for your free NHS Jewish BRCA test today visit www.jewishbrca.org where you will also find more information about the programme and access to a number of wider resources.
Nicole Gordon, CEO, Jnetics
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Lisa Steele, CEO, Chai Cancer Care
