The discovery of hereditary mutations in the BRCA genes revolutionized oncology, allowing people to understand their risk for certain types of cancers. Ultimately, this contributed to the development of more options for preventative care as well as targeted therapies to treat the disease. But without testing, many people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent are unaware of whether they and their families might be at higher risk for breast, ovarian and other types of cancers.1
AstraZeneca is committed to closing these awareness gaps and partners with Sharsheret to better serve the Ashkenazi Jewish community. Sharsheret is a non-profit for Jewish women and families who are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer or are at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer – and we’re proud to support their mission.
We chatted with Sharsheret’s Chief Services Officer Adina Fleischmann and Genetic Counselor Peggy Cottrell to learn more.
Tell us about Sharsheret
Our mission is to improve the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer. We educate the community to help combat cultural taboos around cancer and help people understand their genetic risk for many types of cancers. We offer support to help patients have the best quality of life. But most importantly, we want to make sure that no one faces cancer alone.
Sharsheret (which means “chain” in Hebrew) was founded in 2001 by Rochelle Shoretz. Rochelle was just 28 and raising two young boys in a close-knit Jewish community when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She found lots of information, resources and support – but nothing that spoke to her unique experience. Rochelle also longed to connect with other women like her who understood what she was going through as a young Jewish mom with breast cancer. She connected to another woman in a chemo room and Sharsheret was born.
Sadly, Rochelle eventually passed away from complications of breast cancer in 2015. But her legacy lives on in Sharsheret around the world, through our dozens of support and education programs.
Part of Sharsheret’s focus is to ensure that Jewish women, especially Ashkenazi Jewish women, explore genetic testing. Why is that?
One in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish people carry a hereditary BRCA mutation – this is ten times greater than the general population.1 The genetic mutation is passed down from your mother or father. People with a hereditary BRCA mutation are at significantly higher risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, male breast, pancreatic and other types of cancers.2 And a woman with a BRCA mutation has up to a 70% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime.2 In contrast, the average woman in the US has approximately a 13% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime.3
Many people with Jewish ancestry may not know their full family history, which makes early proactive testing even more critical. Women need to understand their risks so they have the information they need to make the best choices about their health. Knowing you have a BRCA gene mutation can mean potentially earlier cancer detection and certain treatment options.1 That knowledge may be enough to save your life or the life of someone you love.
What information do these tests provide? If test results show a BRCA mutation, what are some important actions to take next?
Test results showcase the specific genetic makeup of a person’s inherited risk for certain types of cancers.4 Everyone’s next steps will be different depending on age, health and lifestyle. But you should work with your doctor to determine what actions must be taken now versus what can wait.
Take time to learn about your genetic results so that you feel empowered to make the best choices for your life. But I’d also encourage women to reach out for more support. Talk to someone who knows what you’re going through. Finding that ongoing support will help you at each stage – whether a peer or a professional – so that you’re not overwhelmed with information and a need to make decisions.
Genetic counselors are also an important resource for understanding the implications of your genetic testing. You can contact Sharsheret’s genetic counselor to find out more (genetics@sharsheret.org).
What are the barriers to genetic testing that you’ve seen?
Some people are afraid of the results and what that means for their future health – or the health of their children. They fear having to make hard choices and share the news with their families.
For certain segments of the Jewish community, a positive result may place a stigma on how members of their family are viewed in terms of marriageability, and in terms of broader social implications.
If someone’s already been diagnosed, they might not see the reason to test because they’ve already developed cancer. So, we have to educate about specific treatment options that may be available to them because they have a mutation. For example, someone diagnosed with breast cancer could learn that they have a BRCA mutation, which puts them at increased risk for ovarian cancer.2 They could then discuss treatments for prevention with their physician.
We see a variety of barriers and stigma around genetic testing in the Jewish community. And we try to meet each person where they are with education and support while they’re making these decisions to get tested.
For more information, please visit: https://sharsheret.org/
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jewish Women and BRCA Gene Mutations. Accessed January 2024. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/young_women/bringyourbrave/hereditary_breast_cancer/jewish_women_brca.htm.
- Petrucelli N, Daly M, Pal T. BRCA1- and BRCA2-Associated Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Gene Reviews; 2023.
- American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Breast Cancer. Accessed January 2024. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html.
- American Society of Clinical Oncology. Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk. Accessed January 2024. Available at https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/genetics/genetic-testing-cancer-risk.