EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:00 DECEMBER 1, 2014 - New research shows current approach for detecting BRCA gene mutations misses people at high risk of cancer

Two research papers published today on the BRCA gene mutation in the the Jewish population show that the current process of identifying people which relies on assessing someone’s family history, misses half the people who have the mutation and are at risk of developing cancer.Women carrying a BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation have approximately a 15%-45% chance of getting ovarian cancer and a 45-65% chance of getting breast cancer. Women who know they are carriers can better manage their risk of developing cancer by enhanced screening or risk-reducing surgery. Researchers running the Genetic