Event Canceled: BRCA Panel Discussion, Q&A & Testing with UCSF -(Addtl. info below)

Release from UCSF:

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we need to postpone indefinitely the event on 3/24 in light of the coronavirus.  UCSF is taking steps to cancel all large group meetings and BRCA Center events qualify as such.  Our top priority is everyone’s health, so I hope you all understand. A flyer is attached, and folks can e-mail phact_study@ucsf.edu or call 415-476-2415 if they are interested in learning more about our study and potentially participating remotely (we can mail the saliva collection kits rather than collecting in person as we would have done at the event).
-
Sydney Pietrzak
Program Manager
Center for BRCA Research
Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have been found to impact a person's chance of developing certain cancers: breast, ovarian, pancreas and prostate - to name a few. These mutations occur at a high frequency in the Jewish community, approximately 1 in 40 Ashkenzai Jews carry a BRCA mutation linked to cancer risk.  Anyone can carry the mutation (men and women), but if you are of Ashkenazi or even Sephardic Jewish decent, your risk is 1 in 40. This is compared to anywhere from 1 in 400 - 600 in the general population. Even if there is no cancer in your family, you can be a carrier - both men and women are carriers. We can test for the BRCA mutation much like we did for Tay Sachs disease.

Free testing will be available for those who meet the criteria and wish to participate in a UCSF Research study.

In light of this event being canceled due to Coronavirus concerns, UCSF has offered to mail saliva test kits that will allow them to test for the BRCA Gene. If you are interested in being mailed a saliva test kit, please fill out the form below. 

More info here