Shari Piper said, “Of special interest to The Jewish World readers, pancreatic cancer is more common in Jews than in the general population, and Ashkenazic Jews have a greater risk than Sephardic Jews. About 1 in 40 Jews in the United States will get pancreatic cancer, compared to 1 in 67 in the overall U.S. population, according to a 2011 study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.  She added, “A growing body of evidence suggests that increased pancreatic cancer risk for Ashkenazic Jews has a genetic basis; these cancers are caused by inherited mutations in specific cancer-associated genes, including the familial breast cancer genes BRCA2 and BRCA1. The risk of cancer to Jews who inherit a defective copy of BRCA2 or BRCA1 varies in different families. The reason for this variation in risk is thought to be dependent on “lifestyle factors” such as smoking, obesity, dietary influences, the inheritance of other cancer susceptibility genes and an element of chance.”

Those wishing to participate in the walk are asked to sign up as an individual, join a team, or start a team at hope.lustgarten.org/events/albany. Then, individuals may donate toward a goal, fundraise and join at the event.

Information is available from Susan Jacobson, director external and community relations, 914-589-7553, or

sjacobson@lustgarten.org.

Shari and Neil Piper, walk founders, at 518-475-1200 pcrwalkalbany@gmail.com are also available to  discuss the disease and the Sept. 7 morning of hope, remembrance and action.