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The Legacy Heritage The Genetics
Oncology Center and Institute
Dr. Larry Norton Genetic diseases are common among the various
ethnic Jewish communities found in the Negev and
Institute in the Bedouin community. The Genetics Institute
is tackling these often life-threatening challenges
head-on with research and diagnostic work as well as
genetic counseling at our Dayan Family Counseling
More than 16,000 cancer patients are treated every
year at Soroka, including 750 children. Each year, Wing. The Genetics Research Lab has deciphered
an average of 5,500 adult patients and some 50 the molecular bases and mechanisms of more than
children are newly diagnosed with cancer. In recent 40 human diseases, including some of the most
years, there has been an increase in all types of prevalent and serious hereditary diseases of Arabs
cancer, especially lung, bladder, and breast cancer, and Jews.
in the southern region. Our team also implements their scientific findings
in wide-scale, far-reaching carrier testing programs
The new Legacy Heritage Oncology Center and Dr. that have led to a 30% reduction in the infant
Larry Norton Institute is a comprehensive oncology mortality rate in the Bedouin community and the
center that provides state-of-the-art treatment near-eradication of two of the hereditary diseases
to the diverse population of our region. It houses most common among Jews of Moroccan and Iraqi
all treatment units under one roof and provides origin.
patients with world-class facilities, greatly improving
their well-being and that of their families. With the advent of new technologies that enable
more rapid and less costly genome sequencing,
once unique new genes are identified, they can
immediately be used in pre-pregnancy screening in
target populations. This means that diseases that
place a tremendous burden on patients and their
families are being eliminated by our scientists and
clinicians on a regular basis.
