Phoenix I Scottsdale I Tucson I Genetic Carrier Testing, Counseling & Support
BRCA Positive I BRCA Support and Education I BRCA
Welcome to BRCAteers
The BRCAteers support group is an initiative of the Minkoff Center for Jewish Genetic, in partnership with local genetic counselors. Our primary purpose is to:
● Provide SUPPORT to the BRCA+ community and their families.
● Raise AWARENESS in the community on the importance of knowing about a family history of cancer to better understand any potential hereditary cancer risks.
● EDUCATE the community about the possible risk factors associated with the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 founder mutations.
● Provide GENETIC COUNSELING and access to low-cost SCREENING for individuals who need testing.
● Provide RESOURCES and the appropriate genetic counseling SUPPORT to individuals with a known family history of cancer.
Needs and Challenges We Seek to Address
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, about 1 in every 500 women in the United States and 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women has a mutation in either her BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, dramatically increasing cancer risk in this population. Considering the 2020 Census data, more than 4,000 women in Maricopa County are potentially BRCA-positive. While this diagnosis predominantly affects women, men may also carry the mutation or wish to seek support for their own or a familial diagnosis. The BRCAteer support group intends to include individuals from all faiths, genders, and backgrounds.
With the launch of the Minkoff Center’s BRCA education and referral program and the increased accessibility of genetic screening available to the public, the Minkoff Center recently identified a largely unmet need to support BRCA-positive individuals in the Valley. Navigating feelings, options, and decisions related to a BRCA diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially for those not diagnosed with a specific illness or disease. This program will provide individuals with essential support.
While some support programs are available through national nonprofits, there are no local support services for BRCA-positive individuals in the Valley. Keeping with its education and referral goals, the Minkoff Center has done its best to connect newly diagnosed individuals with others who have navigated this new territory. BRCAteers is a sustainable and structured initiative to support BRCA-positive individuals indefinitely.