Registration for the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme is now closed.

If you currently have a BRCA testing kit, please complete and return it as soon as possible.

If you have requested a kit, and did so prior to 31st October 2025 but have not yet received it – do not worry. You will receive a kit. All kits will be distributed by 31st March 2026.

Whenever you receive your testing kit, you can complete and return your sample.
Please do so in a timely manner, but do not be concerned, as the 31st October deadline only applies to registering for testing, and you are still able to return your sample.

If you are still interested in doing BRCA testing, you can submit an expression of interest for the next phase of Jewish BRCA testing here: https://nhsjewishbrcaprogramme.org.uk/. This is expected to commence during 2026.

Click here to register your interest

Everyone has two BRCA genes – BRCA1 and BRCA2 – that play an important role in the prevention of cancer.

If an individual has a spelling mistake or fault in either of these genes, they are at increased risk of developing breast, ovarian, prostate or pancreatic cancer.

BRCA gene faults are inherited dominantly – there is a 50% chance that the BRCA gene fault will be passed on from a carrier parent to any children they have.

Both men and women can have faulty BRCA genes and can pass these on to their children.

BRCA gene faults are more common in those with Jewish ancestry compared to the general population. 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews and around 1 in 140 Sephardi Jews have a BRCA gene fault, compared to around 1 in 250 individuals in the UK general population.

Testing for BRCA gene faults within the Jewish population is critical for the prevention or early detection of the BRCA-associated cancers:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer

Up to 4 in 10 ovarian cancers and 1 in 10 breast cancers in the Jewish community are caused by a faulty BRCA gene. These cancers are potentially preventable.

BRCA carriers have a 50% chance of passing this on to their children, both male and female.

If a person does test positive for a BRCA gene mutation, it does not mean they will get cancer, but it is an indication of a higher chance. Knowing you have a BRCA gene fault allows you to access a range of options that help to manage and reduce cancer risk. These are available on the NHS:

• Preventative surgery to remove the breasts.
• Preventative surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
• Drug treatment

However, surgery is not the only option – other options may improve the likelihood of detecting cancer earlier with regular monitoring or a ‘watch and wait’ approach e.g. for the early signs of breast cancer, mammograms or MRI scans are offered.

The decision as to whether to test for the BRCA gene is an individual and complex one, as a positive result not only affects the person testing but also their close family members. Chai offers a safe place where people can discuss their concerns and the complexities involved in complete confidence with one of our experienced counselling team who have received additional training from the Royal Marsden and Northwick Park Hospitals Genetic Teams. This specialised service can also be provided over the telephone or via Microsoft Teams.

It is important that anyone considering testing makes an informed choice given the personal and wider family implications of receiving a positive result. For more information please call our Freephone Helpline on 0808 808 4567.

Chai understands the impact that discovering you are a BRCA carrier can have on a person’s emotional and psychological wellbeing. In addition to counselling for individuals, couples and families, we also offer group support.

Clients can join at any stage of their BRCA journey and talk freely about their emotions, fears and dilemmas including the effect it is having on their relationships and how – or whether to tell their children, siblings and parents. Sometimes various members within a single family faced with the same risk may make different decisions.

For more information on Individual, couples and group BRCA support, please contact Charlotte Hildebrand charlotteh@chaicancercare.org or call our Freephone Helpline 0808 808 4567