What is the carrier frequency of HBOC among Ashkenazi Jews?

The carrier frequency of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome, particularly relating to mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, is notably higher among Ashkenazi Jews. Research indicates that approximately 1 in 40 individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent is a carrier of a BRCA mutation. This elevated carrier frequency is attributed to the founder effect and the genetic history of this population, where certain mutations occurred in a limited ancestral group and were passed down through generations.

The other choices reflect incorrect frequencies for this population. For example, 1 in 20 is significantly higher than the established data and does not accurately represent the carrier rate for BRCA mutations in Ashkenazi Jews. Likewise, 1 in 30 and 1 in 10 are also higher than the generally accepted rate of 1 in 40, which is supported by genetic studies highlighting the prevalence of BRCA mutations within this specific ethnic group. Understanding these statistics is crucial for genetic counseling and risk assessment in individuals from this demographic.