Basser Center for BRCA

10/16/2025

Join the Basser Young Leadership Council for BRCA Positive: Own Your Path Forward - an evening of connection and conversation at IVAR Jewelry in NYC. ✨

Hear from Jackie Cappadocia, MS, LCGC (Basser Center Genetic Counselor) and Julie Schnur, PhD (Psychologist, Dubin Breast Center), then mix and mingle over light bites and drinks.

🗓 Thursday, October 30 | 6-8 PM
📍 29 E 73rd St, New York, NY

💎 15% of all jewelry sales benefit the Basser Center for BRCA, advancing research and patient care.

Register: http://spr.ly/6185AFxR3

10/09/2025

Dozens of local women received breast cancer screenings at no costs through the mobile mammogram van during Breast Cancer Awareness Month . The casino has generously presented a $10,000 donation to the Basser Center for BRCA, inspired by the personal journey of Carrie Nork Minelli, who has shared her story about testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation to help raise awareness.

10/02/2025

At the Basser Center for BRCA, we know that education is one of our most powerful tools for the prevention of BRCA-related cancers. That’s why we strive to be a safe resource for individuals and families to learn more about genetic testing and the importance of family health history.

Do you know your hereditary cancer risk?

09/30/2025

☕ La Hora del Cafecito – Tus genes y tu salud con Joanna Mercado (2 de octubre)

Querida comunidad,
Te invitamos a nuestra próxima Hora del Cafecito ☕💜, un espacio en español creado especialmente para mujeres latinas con cáncer de seno u ovario.

📅 Jueves, 2 de octubre
🕒 3:00 – 4:00 PM (Hora del Este)
📍 Zoom
🌸 Tema del mes: “Tus genes y tu salud: lo que toda mujer latina debe saber”
Nuestra invitada, Joanna Mercado, MS, LCGC, es consejera genética certificada especializada en genética oncológica en el Basser Center for BRCA de Penn Medicine. Además de atender pacientes, es una firme defensora de promover la genética en la comunidad latina, colaborando con organizaciones como Latinos BRCA para educar y apoyar a las familias hispanohablantes.

Regístrate aquí -> http://spr.ly/6183A9gcS

Será un espacio cálido, seguro y educativo para aprender juntas y responder tus preguntas. ¡No te lo pierdas!

09/15/2025

08/19/2025

Scientist (in training) selfie game strong 💪

07/24/2025

“Every day, I’m inspired by the resilience of my patients—and by communities like this one who stand beside them. We’ve made incredible progress in breast cancer research and treatment. But we’re not done. Not until every patient has access to the most cutting-edge, effective, life-saving care that allows them to live life to the fullest.”

Basser Center medical oncologist Payal Shah, MD spoke at the annual Mid Penn Bank golf tournament’s Project Pink Luncheon, where volunteers and individuals affected by breast cancer assembled care packages and wrote notes of encouragement for breast cancer patients. Dr. Shah is joined by Kevin Mahoney, CEO, University of Pennsylvania Health System (2L), Rory Ritrievi, President and CEO of Mid Penn Bank (R), John Noone, Lead Independent Director of Mid Penn Bank (L).

Thank you to the MPB team and all those who have donated and given their time to join us in this fight. Golf tournament proceeds will go directly to breast cancer research in partnership with the Basser Center. We are grateful for your support in funding more research for BRCA-related cancers!

07/22/2025

Curious about the real cost of BRCA testing?

Insurance coverage and criteria varies by insurance plan. Talk to your genetic counselor to review potential costs and insurance coverage during your appointment.

07/17/2025

Education is one of our most powerful tools for the prevention of BRCA-related cancers. That’s why we strive to be a pillar in our community as part of our ongoing efforts to reduce health disparities and to improve access to care. We collaborated with a local Philadelphia neighborhood to help empower and provide knowledge during a recent community health fair. Our goal is to connect our neighbors with health screenings, preventive care and education.

07/15/2025

What if I don’t want to pass BRCA on to my children?

Many BRCA carriers accept the 50% risk of passing on a BRCA mutation to their children. The decision to use reproductive technologies to avoid passing on genetic diseases is a very personal decision.
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis testing (PGT) is a reproductive technology that may be an option for individuals who wish to minimize the chance of passing a known gene mutation to a child. This procedure is used in combination with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to test embryos (fertilized eggs) for a specific gene mutation, such as a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
*Discuss with your genetics provider if PGT is the right option for you. PGT does not guarantee transferred embryos will lead to a full-term, healthy pregnancy. PGT is costly and coverage can vary greatly depending on insurance plan.

07/10/2025

Genetics by day, ‘Garden Jams’ by night 🧪🎶

Our summer interns take on the summer concert series making some fun memories outside of the lab!

06/25/2025

Hi there! 👋 It’s nice to meet you. Maybe you’ve followed us for a while or maybe you’re new here – either way, welcome!

Here’s a little about what we do and why. What questions do you have for us about BRCA?