FAQ

Who can take part in the programme?

Anyone living in England who is aged 18 or over with 1 or more Jewish grandparent

Unfortunately, since this is an NHS England programme, those living outside of England are not able to take part. If you live outside of England and think you are at risk of having a BRCA gene fault, please speak to your GP. Feel free to contact Jnetics with any other questions.

No. The programme is for anyone with 1 or more Jewish grandparent of any origin – Ashkenazi, Sephardi or Mizrahi.

You can take part if you are pregnant. However, you may want to consider the potential emotional impact of finding out you have a gene fault while pregnant or with a newborn. This may be reason to delay your test to a different time. If you want to discuss this further, you can speak to a genetic counsellor via the helpline on +44 20 3437 6001. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays.

Yes, however, you may be eligible for more extensive genetic testing than that offered through this programme if you have a personal cancer history. Please check with your GP or treating doctor, who can refer you to your local clinical genetics if appropriate.
More information: This programme offers testing of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These are the two genes most strongly associated with hereditary cancers in people with Jewish ancestry. Individuals with a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer may be eligible for testing of additional genes. Participating in this programme does not exclude you from accessing other/additional genetic testing for which you are eligible.

Yes, however, you also have the option to be referred directly by your GP to your local clinical genetics service for testing and support. Your local clinical genetics service can provide individualized cancer management and screening recommendations, whether you are found to have or not have the BRCA gene fault.

Yes, however, you may be eligible for more extensive genetic testing than that offered through this programme if you have a family cancer history. Please check with your GP or treating doctor, who can refer you to your local clinical genetics if appropriate.

More information: This programme offers testing of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These are the two genes most strongly associated with hereditary cancers in people with Jewish ancestry. Individuals with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may be eligible for testing of additional genes. Participating in this programme does not exclude you from accessing other/additional genetic testing for which you are eligible. 

Getting Tested

There are 6 main steps to getting tested

  1. Expression of interest – via this form <LINK> or via the helpline (+44 20 3437 6001)
  2. Receipt of screening pack in post
  3. Review of pre-test information
  4. Completing forms and saliva sample
  5. Returning screening pack
  6. Reciept for results letter

For those identified as a carrier there are 2 extra steps

  1. Phone-call appointment on the genetic counsellor helpline
  2. Initial appointment at regional genetics service to explore onward risk management journey

 

You can express your interest in getting testing by filling out this form LINK or calling the dedicated helpline for this programme (+44 20 3437 6001) which is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with extended hours to 7:00 pm on Wednesdays

By expressing your interest, you are not consenting to get tested but agreeing to be sent a pack in the post which contains more information and the forms/saliva collection kit required for testing.

After expressing your interest, you will receive the following in the post:
– Pre-test information booklet
– Participant form
– Consent form
– Saliva Collection Kit
– Prepaid mailing bag to return sample and forms

This programme does not provide one-on-one genetic counselling as a pre-requisite to testing. All pretest information is available via a pre-test information booklet sent in the post after expressing interest. Pre-test counselling with a genetic counsellor is available as an option and we strongly recommend using this. This can be accessed by calling the genetic counsellor helpline (+44 20 3437 6001) which is open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with extended hours to 7:00 pm on Wednesdays.

You should receive your pack with in 1 week of expressing interest. If there are delays you will be notified

You can call the genetic counsellor helpline on +44 20 3437 6001. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays.

You can call the genetic counsellor helpline on +44 20 3437 6001. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays.

Your pack will contain a pre-paid return mailing bag. You simply need to put your forms and sample in here and post back.

The last page (back cover) of your pre-test booklet contains detailed instructions to return your forms and samples. Please note that you must return the pre-paid mailing bag from a post office, not from a street post box.

If you have any questions, or need a replacement for any of the pack components, please call the genetic counsellor helpline on +44 20 3437 6001. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays.

You can call the genetic counsellor helpline on +44 20 3437 6001. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays.

You can call the genetic counsellor helpline on +44 20 3437 6001. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays.

You can call the genetic counsellor helpline on +44 20 3437 6001 to speak to a qualified genetic counsellor. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours until 7pm on Wednesdays.

Chai Cancer Care has emotional counsellors who have experience supporting individuals making this decision. You can find out more via www.chaicancercare.org

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO THE NHS BRCA TESTING PROGRAMME