Professional Resources
The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics serves as an educational resource for Jewish genetic health. Below you will find information on screening guidelines, family health history, and the Center’s print materials. If you don’t find what you are looking for on our
website, please
contact us and we will do our best to connect you to the appropriate resources. A genetic counselor also is available to answer questions.
Brochures and
Educational Materials for Patients
The Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is happy to provide brochures about hereditary cancers, Jewish genetic disorders and carrier screening for you to distribute to patients. We have also developed the following pamphlets in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health:
To request complimentary print materials, contact us at
jewishgeneticsctr@juf.org or 312-357-4718.
Guidelines for
Genetic Testing and Counseling
Professional organizations offer guidelines to help standardize care. Please see below for the latest statements on genetic testing and counseling.
Carrier Screening
Refer to the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the
American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) for recent positions on carrier screening for Jewish genetic disorders and expanded carrier screening.
Note that many practices go beyond these recommendations, offering additional preconception and prenatal screening. The Center’s affordable, accessible
screening program uses a panel that tests for more than 190
recessive conditions
and 12 X-linked conditions, including recessive conditions that are
most prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish
population
BRCA and Hereditary
Cancers
The Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics recommends genetic counseling for all persons considering BRCA testing.
Read more from our statement, revised January 2015.
FORCE offers additional information about the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s
guidelines for managing hereditary cancer risk.
Genetic Testing &
Counseling
National Society of Genetic Counselors policy statement: “The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) supports access to accurate and appropriate genetic testing. Tests for genetic variations of medical significance should be offered to consumers in conjunction with unbiased
education and counseling by a qualified provider, such as a certified genetic counselor.”
Read additional policy statements from the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
Online Family Health
History Tools
Providers use family health history to help identify patients’ health risks and – if necessary – take steps to reduce that risk. Help patients collect and share their family health history with these online tools and worksheets:
