Ashkenazi Jews and Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Research Shows a Genetic Link

Have you heard of the genetic mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2? These two gene mutations have been studied and prove that cancer may be linked to genes. Proven research supports the fact that certain breast cancer gene mutations appeared to be more prevalent in Ashkenazi Jews, those who have ancestors from Eastern and Central Europe. Ashkenazi Jews have a higher incidence of certain gene mutations that increase the risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

With ten million Ashkenazi Jews in the world, only one percent has the mutation for the breast cancer gene, BRCA1. This number is much larger than that of the general United States population who has the gene, estimated to be only 0.1 to 0.6 percent. Further studies have shown that Ashkenazi Jews may carry two additional genes, one in BRCA1 gene and the BRCA2 gene. The official name for BRCA1 is "breast cancer 1, early onset."

Why is this gene so prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish population? Most of today's Ashkenazi Jewish population stems from only a few thousand Ashkenazi Jews. Today, because many Ashkenazi Jews marry other Ashkenazi Jews, they can trace their roots back to this few thousand Jewish population who resided in Europe and carried the gene. Since the Ashkenazi population is much larger than it was back then, the gene pool has amplified and grown over time.

So, are you at risk? What are the odds? Researchers have identified more than 1,000 mutations in the BRCA1 gene, many of which are associated with an increased risk of cancer (particularly breast cancer in women). According to breastcancer.org, about 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews, with or without breast cancer, has a genetic mutation in BRCA1 and BRCA2. Abnormal breast cancer genes only account for 10 percent of breast cancer cases.

According to breastcancer.org, you are more likely to have an abnormal breast cancer gene if:

You have blood relatives (grandmothers, mother, sisters, aunts) on either your mother's or father's side of the family who had breast cancer diagnosed before age 50.

There is both breast and ovarian cancer in your family, particularly in a single individual.

Women in your family have had cancer in both breasts.

You come from an Ashkenazi Jewish family (family from Eastern Europe).

A man in your family has had breast cancer.If one family member has an abnormal breast cancer gene, it does not mean that all family members will have it.

There is still more to learn about this gene mutation and about cancer as a whole. If you are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, you may want to get tested for this gene and learn all you can.