Family History

Understanding what runs in your family

Hereditary cancer risk isn’t random — it travels through generations. When a gene mutation such as BRCA exists in a family, it can increase the likelihood of cancers like breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, melanoma, and male breast cancer. Even when genetic testing does not identify a known mutation, a strong family history can still indicate hereditary cancer risk and guide screening and care decisions.

Among Ashkenazi Jews, approximately 1 in 40 people carries a BRCA mutation, more than ten times the rate of the general population. Sephardic Jews may also have elevated risk, though research is still ongoing.

Learning how these genes are passed down (who carries mutations, which cancers occurred in which family members, and at what ages) is an important step in understanding your personal risk.BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations impact both women AND men. Men with a BRCA mutation have an increased risk for prostate, pancreatic, melanoma and male breast cancer and can pass it along to their sons and daughters.

For hereditary breast cancer and hereditary ovarian cancer, knowledge is power. 

If someone in your family has tested BRCA+ or carries another hereditary mutation (such as CHEK2, ATM, PALB2, or a Lynch syndrome mutation), you are not alone. Understanding inheritance patterns is empowering and can help you:

• Make informed decisions about your health care
• Talk with loved ones about risk
• Plan out next steps for yourself and your family
• Decide whether genetic counseling or testing might be right for you

Through it all, Sharsheret is here to help answer your questions and connect you to support.