OPINION: The unsung army on the front line of the battle against cancer

The high holy days are a time we reconnect with ourselves and our communities. The connection and sense of belonging we get from being part of a meaningful community can be incredibly rewarding. At times, it can literally save your life.

Cancer touches all of our lives in some way. October is breast cancer awareness month. We know that both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews are at a higher risk than the wider population of having a BRCA gene mutation. These genetic mutations are associated with a higher risk of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer in men and women. As sobering as these statistics can seem at first, having this information is empowering. Understanding our genetics enables us to take control of our health and enables us to have treatments and make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is also scientific evidence that you are not facing cancer alone, nor should you feel like you have to.

Our community takes a strategic approach to cancer. Spotting cancer early increases the chances of survival. Our researchers at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre in Jerusalem have used their findings to call for universal screening for BRCA mutations for Jews. Until now, this testing has only been available to those who can show a family history of breast cancer.

Earlier this year, NHS England announced their plans to launch a three-year programme through which any one with Jewish ancestry (1 or more Jewish grandparent) will be able to access free BRCA testing. This is a major change and will be a massive opportunity for the community. Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care are working with the NHS team responsible for this programme, sitting on their Expert Advisory Group. Once the testing is launched early next year, there will be a community wide campaign to ensure that all segments of the community are aware of BRCA and understand how to access the testing service.

Jnetics are dedicated to the prevention and management of Jewish genetic disorders. Chai is the Jewish community’s cancer support service. Shaare Zedek is Jerusalem’s busiest hospital with some of the worlds most renowned experts in cancer research and cancer care. In our collective teams, there are people working constantly on researching prevention, detection and treatment to give us all better options to optimise our health. There are others working on supporting people who have cancer in giving them the treatment, support and the hope they need in facing their own personal battles. We all work together – including on this article- to find the best ways we can support our community.

But the community doesn’t stop there. There is an unseen army in the battle against cancer.  Anyone supporting a cancer patient or someone going through screening or diagnosis is part of our community. Anyone who grows their hair to be used to make a wig for a cancer patient is part of the community. Anyone who runs a marathon, hosts an event, sponsors a friend or responds to our fundraising appeals is part of the community. I imagine almost everyone reading this will fall into one of those categories. We really are all in this together.

• Simi Ben Hur is executive director of Shaare Zedek UK