BRCA 1&2 Testing for Everybody Who Has One Jewish Grandparent

[NeverDropYourMooncup]

I'm adding this here for traffic - lots of people may not be aware that if they have/had one Jewish grandparent (doesn't matter whether they were Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, anything), they are eligible - both male and female - for testing to find out whether they have mutations in the BRCA genes that are associated with higher rates of particular cancers.

Whilst somebody who is Jewish or already knows there is a family history may be aware and have been able to access genetic testing referral, this scheme has now been widened to make it a simple online request to anybody, no referral required.

It's a simple saliva test and completely free. The only particular requirement is that the sample can't be dropped into a postbox, it has to go via the Post Office.

Link to the online form here;

https://nhsjewishbrcaprogramme.org.uk/

Details here;

https://jewishbrca.org/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68157044

Thank you I hadn't seen this

Thank you wonder if this counts if my grandparent was half Jewish?

Don't see why not. Maybe give them a call tomorrow?

How annoying! I'm in Wales, so don't qualify

Does anyone know if it (the BRCA cancers) affect men, or only women? I am not Jewish but my fella has a Jewish grandparent on Mum's side.

It can affect men too. Men can also get breast cancer, as well as prostate cancer.

It makes a point of saying men, too. Men can get breast cancer, there are other cancers also associated with the gene mutations and if they turn out to be a carrier, that informs parents regarding their children.

Thanks both! I will let him know : )

Blimey, isn’t science marvellous sometimes!

Thanks, I have applied for the test. I feel a bit nervous but I guess it would be good to know if I have the genes.

Thanks for sharing.

I qualify for this but unsure if I want to know. Is that a really bury your head in the sand thought?

I am so sorry for not reading it properly.

It does say it's for people under NHS England. That'll teach me to not get a bit excitable and post as fast as I can. I hope participation is widened to all countries in the UK soon.

Thank you, this is really helpful information. Signing up now.

It's completely your decision.

I want to know for my benefit, as it means the NHS is aware of the increased risk (and I can be a little more justifiably assertive if I notice anything untoward), it would make any potential 'Do we wait and see or do you want us to go for the surgical option?' conversations easier for me to decide upon with fully informed consent - and, seeing as my sister died at 64 of undiagnosed cancer, written off as gallstones, and my grandmother died of an unknown primary cancer, I don't fancy what either of them went through from lack of diagnosis until it was too late.

However, I also want to know so that if I do, my children can be informed and make their own decisions regarding testing, treatment or family planning (one is likely to undergo genetic testing in any case if she decides she wishes to start a family, due to a condition her partner has). I think it's information they have a right to know.

But that's me. My opinion only. You are perfectly entitled to your own feelings and decision.

Thank you. I have applied for the test. Like others have suggested I’m not sure what I will do with the information or even if I want to know, but I guess knowledge is power.

i don’t have any Jewish ancestry but was interested in this post because I’ve had breast cancer (non BRCA) and I’ve also had genetic testing as DD was found to have a genetic condition.

thankfully it’s not life threatening and I was bemused to find I’m the carrier of the gene as didn’t have any characteristics (it’s a growth condition). The testing though was considered a reasonably big deal and I had to see a genetic counsellor beforehand.

The point is, it’s quite a big deal having the BRCA test and the website has contacts for advice/counselling but it’s optional.

The other thing I noticed was it says having the BRCA mutation gives you a very high chance of breast cancer (around 70%) but overall, only 10% of breast cancer cases are caused by the gene.

So, if you have the test and are negative, you will have to be just as vigilant as the rest of the population (which means a 11.5% risk during your lifetime)

I wish everyone affected a good outcome

I took the test back in October and I’m waiting for my results now. Just a note for anyone who is registering now it will probably take a bit of time to get the results though. It’s a bit of a nerve wracking wait.

Wishing you a 'good' and speedy result - and to everyone who tests.

Bumping this to say I got my results back on Friday.

I'm not a carrier.

I'm glad I tested and very grateful that this is on offer.

I've just ordered the test having just found out my aunt has BRCA2 gene. We're Ashkenazi.
I spoke to a lovely counsellor on the phone at the Jewish gene testing place. She said it would be about a 3 month wait to get results. That's a really long time to have this hanging over me.
She said a high proportion of women who find out they have the gene choose to have preventative mastectomies and oophorectomies. I'm now catastrophising about all of this.
I see myself as someone fit and healthy and now I'm worried I'm actually carrying this ticking time bomb and I'll have to have surgery.
Very good to hear you had a good outcome @NeverDropYourMooncup