FORCE | Blog

Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing

Close

Hereditary Cancer

Learn about gene changes called mutations, how inherited mutations can lead to cancer, what types of cancer may be hereditary and how parents can pass gene mutations to their children.

What is Genetic Testing?

Explore information about genetic testing for an inherited mutation, the benefits and limitations of genetic testing and the type of results you might receive.

How to Get Genetic Testing

Review expert guidelines regarding who should consider genetic testing, how to find a genetics expert and how to move forward with testing.

Hereditary Cancer Genes and Risk

Read about different genes that are linked to hereditary cancer and the risks associated with inherited mutations in these genes.

After Testing, Now What?

Learn how to make medical decisions and assemble your health care team once you receive your genetic test results.

Sharing with Family

Discover steps that will help you prepare to communicate your family medical history or genetic test results with relatives.

Risk Management and Treatment

Close

Screening and Risk Reduction

Review national guidelines for cancer screening and prevention; this information is listed by gene mutation and by cancer type.

Cancer Treatment

Read about cancer treatment options listed by gene mutation, type of cancer and type of treatment.

Reconstruction or Going Flat

Understand options for having breast reconstruction or not after mastectomy.

Menopause

Learn about symptoms and options for managing early menopause caused by cancer treatment or preventive surgery.

Wellbeing and Survivorship

Discover how cancer treatment and prevention affects long-term health, quality of life and emotional well-being; explore options for addressing these issues.

Fertility and Family Planning

Understand the effects of cancer treatment and prevention on fertility and family planning, how pregnancy impacts hereditary cancer risk and options for assisted reproduction.

Research and Clinical Trials

Close

Why Enroll in Research?

Learn why you should consider enrolling in a research study and your rights and protections as a research participant.

How to Find Studies

These tips and resources will help you locate clinical trials and studies enrolling people like you.

Search and Enroll

Ready to enroll? Our tools will help match you to hereditary cancer detection, prevention and treatment studies.

Help Shape Research

FORCE trains patients who are new to science to use their personal experiences to help guide hereditary cancer research.

Research Collaborations

Learn about ongoing studies, and the role that FORCE, our research advocates, and our partners have played in shaping the research.

Privacy, Policy and Legal Issues

Close

Laws and Protections

Learn about key laws and legal protections that impact people with, or at increased risk of, hereditary cancer; and, how to file a grievance or complaint.

Public Policy Priorities

See what legislative and regulatory policy issues FORCE is actively engaged in, representing the unique needs of people and families affected by hereditary cancer.

Advocacy Archive

Read about the public policy initiatives that FORCE undertook in the past, ensuring that the voice of the hereditary cancer community was heard.

Support

Close

Personalized Guidance

Get matched with a Peer Navigator volunteer who shares a similar experience as you for confidential 1:1 phone/email support and receive a free expert-reviewed resource guide.

Local Support

FORCE has volunteers throughout the United States and in Essex, United Kingdom who are available to offer support and share resources.

Support Meetings and Events

Attend support meetings or learn from experts at webinars and conferences. You can ask questions, share your story or just listen.

Message Boards

Our message boards are available 24/7 and are the easiest way to reach out to others who are facing hereditary cancer.

Helpline

Peer volunteers return calls within 48 hours and provide nonjudgmental support and resources in English and Spanish. A Genetic Counselor helpline is also available.

Find Healthcare Providers

Locate medical experts who are knowledgeable in cancer genetics.

Insurance and Paying for Care

Find information on insurance coverage and financial assistance for genetic services, risk management and cancer treatment.

Volunteer

FORCE has opportunities for people of our community to get involved in significant ways to raise awareness, provide support or help promote research of hereditary cancer.

Education

Close

Behind the Headlines (XRAY)

Our XRAY program takes you behind the headlines to bring you reliable information about cancer research-related news and information.

Conference

Joining FORCEs Against Hereditary Cancer is a virtual conference designed to empower individuals and families facing hereditary cancer.

Webinars

Our live and on demand webinars feature presentations by experts on topics of interest and importance to our community.

Blog

Our blogs feature personal perspectives and deep dives into topics of interest to the hereditary cancer community.

Brochures

Order or download our educational materials.

Glossary

Find definitions for commonly used terms.

Our blog features educational information and personal perspectives relevant to the hereditary cancer community.

Education > Our Blog

Categories

Advanced Search

Subscribe

Close

Books And Movies (12)

Breast Reconstruction And Going Flat (10)

Cancer Treatment (9)

Decision Making (2)

Diversity And Inclusion (1)

Emotional Health And Well Being (3)

FORCE And FORCE Impact (24)

Fertility And Parenting (1)

Genetic Testing (15)

Health Equity And Disparities (8)

Health And Fitness (4)

Hereditary Cancer - General (10)

Inspirational (25)

Laws, Protections And Public Policy (26)

Men With Mutations (9)

Partnerships (2)

Quality Of Life (2)

Risk Management (5)

Supporting FORCE (3)

Volunteer Spotlight (51)

Why So Many of Us Quit Taking Tamoxifen

April 05, 2021

Why So Many of Us Quit Taking Tamoxifen

Posted in: XRAY, Quality Of Life
Tags: Breast Cancer, Cancer Prevention, BRCA2, Prophylactic Surgery

Most Recent

Why So Many of Us Quit Taking Tamoxifen

Understanding Breast Implant Risks

New Hope and Treatments for People with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Increasing the Participation of Pregnant Women in Appropriate Clinical Research

Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day – March 22nd 2021

Understanding Breast Implant Risks

March 30, 2021

Understanding Breast Implant Risks

Posted in: Guidelines, XRAY
Tags: Cancer Prevention, Prophylactic Mastectomy, BRCA2, Prophylactic Surgery, Breast Reconstruction, Mastectomy, Risk-reducing Mastectomy

New Hope and Treatments for People with Metastatic Breast Cancer

March 29, 2021

New Hope and Treatments for People with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Posted in: XRAY, Cancer Treatment
Tags: Breast Cancer, Metastatic Breast Cancer

Increasing the Participation of Pregnant Women in Appropriate Clinical Research

March 24, 2021

Increasing the Participation of Pregnant Women in Appropriate Clinical Research

Posted in: Research
Tags: Research Advocacy

Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day – March 22nd 2021

March 22, 2021

Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day – March 22nd 2021

Posted in: Hereditary Cancer - General, Partnerships
Tags: Lynch Syndrome

Improving Memory in Menopause: the IMPRES Study

March 15, 2021

Improving Memory in Menopause: the IMPRES Study

Posted in: Research, Menopause
Tags: Hereditary Cancer Research, Menopause, Risk-reducing Salpingo-oophorectomy

After Three Cancer Diagnoses, a Sense of Peace after Learning of My Lynch Syndrome Mutation

March 05, 2021

After Three Cancer Diagnoses, a Sense of Peace after Learning of My Lynch Syndrome Mutation

Posted in: Stories
Tags: Lynch Syndrome

The Importance of Learning Your Pancreatic Cancer Risk When Cancer Runs in Your Family

March 02, 2021

The Importance of Learning Your Pancreatic Cancer Risk When Cancer Runs in Your Family

Posted in: Research, Genetic Testing
Tags: BRCA, PALB2, Pancreatic Cancer, ATM, Lynch Syndrome

Volunteer Spotlight – Sivan Schondorf

February 26, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight – Sivan Schondorf

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: BRCA1, Risk-reducing Salpingo-oophorectomy, Risk-reducing Mastectomy, Volunteer

Breaking Breast Cancer Color Barriers and Building Bridges

February 01, 2021

Breaking Breast Cancer Color Barriers and Building Bridges

Posted in: XRAY, Health Equity And Disparities, Featured Partner
Tags: Breast Cancer, Health Disparities, Health Equity, Women Of Color, Breast Cancer Survivors, Young Women With Breast Cancer

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health: Nuestras Voces (Our Voices) Network Program

January 25, 2021

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health: Nuestras Voces (Our Voices) Network Program

Posted in: XRAY, Diversity And Inclusion, Partnerships
Tags: Partnerships

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer: My AFAP Story

January 25, 2021

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer: My AFAP Story

Posted in: Stories
Tags: Hereditary Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, AFAP, Hereditary Colon Cancer Syndrome

Honoring the Life of Teri Woodhull

January 13, 2021

Honoring the Life of Teri Woodhull

Posted in: Voices
Tags: BRCA, Hereditary Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Clinical Trials, FORCE

Tracing Our Family Mutation to an Unlikely Place

January 13, 2021

Tracing Our Family Mutation to an Unlikely Place

Posted in: Genetic Testing
Tags: Genetic Testing, BRCA1, Inherited Mutations

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
...
19
20
›

Receive the latest
updates from Force

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. W, PMB #373
Tampa, FL 33647

866-288-RISK (7475)

info@facingourrisk.org