In the United States, breast cancer risk seems to be slightly higher among Jewish women than among other women [128]. This increased risk is likely due to the high prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations in Jewish women of Eastern European decent (Ashkenazi Jews). While BRCA1/2 mutations are rare in the general population, about 2.5 percent (an estimated 1 in 40) of Ashkenazi Jewish women carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene [129-132].
People who carry a BRCA1/2 mutation have a very high risk of breast cancer. A woman's lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 12 percent if she does not have a BRCA1/2 mutation. For women with a BRCA1 mutation, however, the lifetime risk of breast cancer ranges from 60 to 90 percent. And, for women with a BRCA2 mutation, estimates range from 30 to 85 percent [6-11].
Learn more about genetic mutations and breast cancer risk.
Learn more about testing for genetic mutations.
Updated 11/09/09
