The Jewish Girl's Guide to Genetic Testing Wiki

Quick Facts

• The Department of Health and Human Services offers this primer on genetic testing.
• The Web site of the National Human Genome Research Institute, home to the Human Genome Project, offers a FAQ about hereditary breast cancer.
• The Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders strives to improve health education and the dissemination of information about the various conditions to which Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews are predisposed.

Blogs

• The Breast Views is a blog devoted to “breast health education” and preventing breast cancer. It’s written by Sue Richards.
• Discussing Breast Cancer is written by two-time breast-cancer survivor Karen M. Lynch, a freelance writer who strives to “empower today’s breast-cancer survivors.”
• On Jayne's Breast Cancer Blog, Jayne England Byrne writes about life after cancer.
• The Cancer Blog, part of Weblogs, Inc, is updated multiple times daily with cancer news and useful information.

Articles

• Women with BRCA mutations often get cancer at a younger age than women in the general population. This article from the International Herald Tribune explains the issues faced by young cancer patients.
• Breast cancer is not just for women. Men can have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that put them at risk for breast cancer as well as prostate, colon, and other cancers.
• This WebMD article spells out the what, why, and how of the test, and also explains the various possible results.
• This article from the National Cancer Institute covers similar ground but also discusses the potential for genetic discrimination and other risks with completing genetic testing.
• Genetic mutations aren’t the only cause of an increased risk of cancer, according to this article. Women with high breast density are also more likely to get breast cancer.
• In a 2004 Slate piece, Masha Gessen detailed the decision-making process she went through after learning she had a BRCA1 mutation.

Interactive

• Myriad Testing Laboratories offers a BRCA risk “calculator” and tables that show the prevalence of BRCA mutations.

Discussion Groups and Support Groups

• The American Cancer Society hosts discussions about breast cancer on its message boards.
• Breast Cancer Support provides message boards, a photo gallery of survivors, and a live chat room.
• Sharsheret brings together young Jewish women living with breast cancer.
• FORCE -- Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered -- is a group for women with either a family history of breast cancer or the BRCA mutation.

How to Help

• Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a foundation started by Nancy G. Brinker after the death of her sister from breast cancer. It’s well known for its Race for the Cure campaign, and its Web site contains a wealth of information about breast-cancer research.
• At the Web site of the American Cancer Society, you can donate money to cancer research, learn the latest about testing, and find out how to become involved in your community.
• The Sister Study explores genetic factors in breast cancer by keeping track of women whose sisters have had cancer. You can help by joining the study (if you're eligible) or spreading the word.

Where To Learn More

• Breastcancer.org offers a comprehensive overview of useful facts, mixing personal stories with medical news and treatment information.
• The Siteman Cancer Center at the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis offers a large collection of resources on its breast cancer page.
• The MedicinePlus Breast Cancer site is a clearinghouse of articles, research news, and other useful links.
• Jacob International and Reach Global are both websites dedicated to teaching women about their genetic risk of breast cancer. Jacob (Jews Agains Cancer Of the Breast) is aimed specifically at Ashkenazi women; Reach Global is more universal.