The battle against cancer: the unsung army on the front line

We love sharing examples of how Shaare Zedek’s work has an impact here in the UK. Our BRCA research has led to a new NHS initiative that will save lives. Our Executive director, Simi, is involved in supporting community initiatives to roll out the programme and wrote this piece for the Jewish News.

From research to prevention to caring for a loved one to raising funds, we really are all in this together when it comes to fighting the disease.

Cancer touches all our lives in some way. We know that both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews are at a higher risk than the wider population of having a BRCA gene mutation. These genetic mutations are associated with a higher risk of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer in men and women.

As sobering as these statistics can seem at first, having this information is empowering. Understanding our genetics enables us to take control of our health and enables us to have treatments and make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is also scientific evidence that you are not facing cancer alone, nor should you feel like you must.

Our community takes a strategic approach to cancer. Spotting cancer early increases the chances of survival. Our researchers at Shaare Zedek have used their findings to call for universal screening for BRCA mutations for Jews. Until now, this testing has only been available to those who can show a family history of breast cancer.

In November, NHS England announced their plans to launch a three-year programme through which any one with Jewish ancestry (1 or more Jewish grandparent) will be able to access free BRCA testing.

This is a major change and will be a massive opportunity for the community. Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care are working with the NHS team responsible for this programme, sitting on their Expert Advisory Group. Once the testing is launched this year, there will be a community wide campaign to ensure that all segments of the community are aware of BRCA and understand how to access the testing service. Shaare Zedek is working closely with Jnetics and Chai to ensure all our expertise in BRCA, community outreach and health education can be put to best use here in the UK.

Jnetics are dedicated to the prevention and management of Jewish genetic disorders. Chai is the Jewish community’s cancer support service. Shaare Zedek is Jerusalem’s busiest hospital with some of the worlds most renowned experts in cancer research and cancer care. In our collective teams, there are people working constantly on researching prevention, detection, and treatment to give us all better options to optimise our health.

There are others working on supporting people who have cancer in giving them the treatment, support, and the hope they need in facing their own personal battles. We all work together to find the best ways we can support our community.

But the community does not stop there. There is an unseen army in the battle against cancer. Anyone supporting a cancer patient or someone going through screening or diagnosis is part of our community. Anyone who grows their hair to be used to make a wig for a cancer patient is part of the community.

Anyone who runs a marathon, hosts an event, sponsors a friend, or responds to our fundraising appeals is part of the community. I imagine everyone reading this will fall into one of those categories. We really are all in this together.

For more information on BRCA please contact katie@shaarezedek.org.uk and we will point you in the right direction for appropriate support.