Question 1

Are breast and ovarian cancers Jewish genetic diseases?

Ester Unterslak · Accepted Answer

Roughly 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews are carriers of the BRCA genetic mutation, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Though this increased risk is genetically transmitted, BRCA is not typically included among the disorders included in the standard testing panels for Jewish genetic diseases. Individuals with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are encouraged to consider separate testing for the BRCA mutations.

Question 2

Are breast and ovarian cancers Jewish genetic diseases?

Ester Unterslak · Accepted Answer

Roughly 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews are carriers of the BRCA genetic mutation, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Though this increased risk is genetically transmitted, BRCA is not typically included among the disorders included in the standard testing panels for Jewish genetic diseases. Individuals with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are encouraged to consider separate testing for the BRCA mutations.