Tackling your genetic health, with support

Jordyn Harris with her father, Steven, on her wedding day in 2024. (Photo credit: Anna Ginda Photography)

When she was 20, Jordyn Harris knew she needed to do genetic screening for hereditary cancer—in her case, for the BRCA gene mutation. BRCA (short for “BReast CAncer”) increases the risk of male and female breast cancer as well as other hereditary cancers, and Harris knew there was a strong chance she could be carrying the gene mutation. 

“On my father’s side of the family, his grandfather was one of nine children, and all of them had the BRCA gene,” Harris said. “My dad had a lot of cousins, aunts, and uncles who had either prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, [and] so on.” 

First, her father tested positive for BRCA. Then, in 2016, Harris tested positive as well. She already needed, for other reasons, a breast reduction; at that point, once she personally felt that it was “nearly inevitable” that she was going to get breast cancer, she chose to have a preventative double-mastectomy. Her family, doctors, and colleagues were tremendously supportive. 

“I was very lucky because I had a massive support system behind me,” she said. 

Having the BCRA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation does not mean that an individual will certainly develop the associated cancers, nor does the absence of BRCA mean that an individual will certainly remain cancer-free. What is vitally important—when it comes to screening for hereditary cancer—is having all the available information and being able to make, with guidance and support, an informed decision about next steps.  

This is why the Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics has recently launched a major new offering: hereditary cancer testing for the general public. The new hereditary cancel panel tests “for mutations in 60+ genes that increase the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis, including those genes that disproportionately impact the Jewish population,” explained Eve Reingold Kleinerman, Executive Director of the Sarnoff Center. 

Similar to the Sarnoff Center’s other offerings—including a genetic carrier screening program for those planning a family—there is a one-time, low-cost registration fee. After that, the Sarnoff Center covers all other costs for participants, including genetic counseling and follow-up. Additionally, any participant unable to pay the registration fee can easily opt out while registering online. 

Dr. Shari Snow, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery at University of Chicago, serves on the Sarnoff Center’s board. She stressed the effect of learning about potential genetic risks to their health. 

“I’ve truly seen the impact that knowing about a gene mutation can have, not only on a patient, but on the patient’s whole family,” Snow said. She elaborated that this knowledge helps them “to be able to identify risk; to be able to decrease the risk of that patient developing cancer through increased screening, medications and surgeries; [and] to be able to prevent them from succumbing to potentially deadly cancers.” 

Adding a panel for hereditary cancers marks a continuing evolution in the scope of the Sarnoff Center. The organization will continue to assist Jewish individuals, and both Jewish and interfaith couples, in Illinois with prenatal genetic screening; the addition of hereditary cancer screening ensures that participants know the full picture of their own health. 

Kleinerman emphasized the importance of participants evaluating, with their genetic counselor, the best way to move forward. “It doesn’t have to just be scary information. It can be taking the bull by the horns and addressing your medical needs, so that you can live a long and healthy life,” she said. 

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SIDEBAR: How it works 

For most participants, the process is straightforward—and can be done at home! 

1. Register online at geneticscreening.juf.org. 

2. Complete an online education course to prepare for screening; you will receive a link and instructions to access the course after registering. 

3. The Sarnoff Center’s genetic counseling partner, Chicago Genetic Consultants, will contact you after completion of the course. 

4. After receiving the saliva kit in the mail, return a saliva sample following its instructions. 

5. Chicago Genetic Consultants will call with results 2-3 weeks after receiving the kit. 

6. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled, as needed, with Chicago Genetic Consultants.  

The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is a supporting foundation of JUF, and is supported in part by the Michael Reese Health Trust.