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Panel to Examine Ashkenazi Breast Cancer Risk
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Media Releases
Panel to Examine Ashkenazi Breast Cancer Risk
MILWAUKEE (March 1, 2007) — Jewish women of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) descent have an increased risk of carrying a genetic mutation that predisposes them to develop breast and ovarian cancer. Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (BR- breast; CA-cancer; genes 1 and 2) are involved in many cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Ashkenazi Jewish women are more likely to have mutations in these genes than women in the general population.
“Carriers of the altered gene have up to an 80 percent risk of developing breast cancer and up to a 40 percent risk of developing ovarian cancer during their lifetime,” said Sara Svendsen, MS, genetic counselor with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Genetics Program. “Knowing if a person has a mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 may be helpful in making decisions about how to manage cancer risk.”
To help raise awareness, Stephanie Wagner, a breast cancer patient who carries the gene, has organized a panel discussion on March 13 for Jewish women and their families that addresses the risk and offers recommendations from experts on how to manage it.
"While we can't change our heredity," Wagner said, "we can be more proactive in screening for cancer, which can have a significant impact on treatment and survival."
Panelists will include Svendsen; Wagner and her sister, who also has the BRCA mutation; Mary Ann Gilligan, MD, MPH, an internist with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Genetics Program and a Medical College faculty member; and Julie Griffie, RN, MSN, CS, AOCN, a clinical nurse specialist with Froedtert & the Medical College Breast Cancer Program.
The free program will be held Tuesday, March 13, from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm at Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd. in Fox Point. To register or for more information, call 414-805-3666 (option 2) or visit our Classes and Events section.
Author: Kathy Sieja Last Review Date: March 5, 2007 Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler |
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