Cancer Gene: Olympia Community Seeks Jewish Answers to a Jewish Problem

The risk of carrying a BRCA gene mutation that causes breast and ovarian cancer is ten times greater among women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent than among the general population. With growing concern over what preventative measures Jewish women should take, the Chabad Jewish Discovery Center has two events planned to raise awareness and education in commemoration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The class, being held Tuesday, October 29 from 7:15 – 8:45, will discuss whether Jewish law recommends women to undergo radical mastectomies or oophorectomies in case they do test positive, in order to save their lives.

“The statistics are leaving women in the Jewish community with some tough decisions to make,” said Rabbi Cheski Edelman. “Some are reluctant to get tested, worried about the medical and financial repercussions, and the prospect of facing radical surgeries that could affect their self-image or ability to have children. Having to face decisions of such complexity has led many women to avoid addressing the issue altogether. But with mortality rates so high, this is hardly a problem the Jewish community can afford to ignore.”