NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme

Posted on February 9th, 2024

NHS England is now offering free BRCA gene testing for anyone living in England, aged 18 or over with one or more Jewish grandparent, of any type of Jewish origin (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi etc).

In line with medical research, it is now considered best practice to offer BRCA gene testing to all Jewish people, irrespective of their own personal or family history of cancer.

The NHS Jewish BRCA Programme launched on 31 January. The programme provides genetic testing for BRCA1/2 for people with Jewish ancestry (defined as having at least one Jewish grandparent), who are six times more likely to be a BRCA carrier than the general population.

For more information or to register for a test please call the genetic counselling hotline directly for support on 020 3437 6001.