Breast Cancer and Jews: Know Your Risk!

Southern & Jewish

Southern & Jewish celebrates the stories, people, and experiences – past and present – of Jewish life in the American South. Hosted by the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, posts come from educators, students, rabbis, parents, artists, and many other “visitors-to and daily-livers-of” the Southern Jewish experience. From road trips to recipes to reflections, we’ll explore a little bit of everything – well, at least all things Southern and/or Jewish. Shalom, y’all!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since a peer-led health initiative is one of the programs I help coordinate, I thought I would model peer-led-health-education, and share some of this information with you.

According to Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer, 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews has a gene mutation putting them at increased risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer and related cancers.

Breast cancer and ovarian cancer are two diseases that many of us can put a face and a name to in our own families and communities. Congregations can play a critical role raising awareness about breast cancer and supporting women and their families who have been diagnosed with breast, ovarian and related cancers. Sharsheret has put together some incredible resources to make it easier for congregations to inform congregants about breast cancer, and early detection, and raising awareness in their community.

One program that Sharsheret can help bring to your community is Sharsheret Pink Shabbat.

Will you be participating in a Pink Shabbat this month? Tell us in the comments below, and please share ideas you have to bring breast cancer awareness to your community!