HEALTHY JEWISH LIVING
Genetic Cancer Risks
This corner might be of interest to you if you are 18 or older, have Ashkenazi heritage, if you've had breast, ovarian, prostate, skin, or a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
We will begin by posting resources. In person events may be planned for the near future as needed and desired.
In the general population, the incidence of having a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation is about 1 in 400. In those from Ashkenazi Jewish descent, it's actually 1 in 40. NCCN now recommends genetic testing for the BRCA 1/2 mutations in ALL individuals who have at least one parent from Ashkenazi Jewish descent because of the high prevalence rate. And while this seems alarming, the good news is that with this guideline, health insurance companies must cover it. And of course, this knowledge allows families to make decisions for themselves and their children to do all they can to stay healthy.
Sharsheret offers expertise on Jewish women and men going through breast and ovarian cancer and those who are previvors (people who have BRCA but not cancer).
Interested in learning more, contact Christine Maldonado.