With the discovery of the BRCA2 gene in December 1995, researchers have been able to gain valuable insights and a better understanding of the role it plays in terms of the development of cancer. We inherit two copies of the BRCA2 gene in every one of our cells, one from our father and one from … Read more
With the discovery of the BRCA gene in December 1995, researchers have been able to gain valuable insights and a better understanding of the role it plays in terms of the development of cancer. We inherit two copies of the BRCA gene in every one of our cells, one from our father and one from … Read more
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer which spreads and grows rapidly in the body. Approximately 10-15% of all breast cancers are TNCB, named triple-negative for its negative testing of three molecular components – estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor (HER2). This cancer is more likely to return than other … Read more
What are BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutated genes? Who is at risk? What does prevention/counseling look like for those with the mutation?
Recent Study Finds BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Mutations to Be Particularly Dangerous A recent large study of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations found that women who have inherited these mutations are at a significantly higher risk of cancer, particularly breast and ovarian, compared to women without the mutations. Further Studies Announced An announcement was also … Read more
Alex and Rosa Dembitzer just returned from Costa Rica where they sponsored an event for the Jewish community to raise awareness about BRCA genes. The BRCA Gene BRCA is the acronym for the BReast CAncer susceptibility gene. Everyone has BRCA genes, which play an important role in suppressing tumors from growing. However, when these genes … Read more
Diagnosed with BRCA When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew nothing of the BRCA gene. My friend mentioned it in a conversation, “ Will you get tested for the Jewish Gene?” When I raised this question to my surgeon, she said we should do it, get tested, but proceed with the surgery as … Read more
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the US, yet it is also possible for men to be diagnosed too. Although males receive only up to 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses, it is usually diagnosed at later, harder-to-treat stages, leading to approximately 500 men dying from it each year in … Read more
All women are at risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. There are various risk factors that can increase the likelihood, one of them being genetic susceptibility. Genes are segments of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), and DNA makes up chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, receiving half of each pair from the mother and … Read more
Studies have shown several disparities in the way breast cancer affects Black women, as opposed to non-Black women. The question that has followed these findings is: are the disparities due to the biology and genetic makeup of different races, or due to socioeconomic factors, such as access to healthcare, education, and more? Researchers are now … Read more