MedicineWorld.Org - Cancer-Breast cancer and the Ashkenazi Jewish women
Breast cancer and Ashkenazi Jewish women

Breast cancer and the Ashkenazi Jewish women

          Breast and ovarian cancer may be found with increased frequency in families of Ashkenazi Jewish descent (ancestors who came from Central or Eastern Europe). Nine out of ten Jewish American in the United States are of Ashkenazi descent. Specific genetic mutations like breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) has been identified with greater frequency in this population. The presence of these genetic mutation give rise to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. An estimated 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish individuals, regardless of family history, carries one of these mutations.

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