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Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Advocacy Day

Advocacy Day brings the community together to educate Members of Congress about important issues faced by people with or at increased risk of hereditary cancers.

Support

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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.

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.

Private Facebook Group

In this group, you can connect with others who are affected by hereditary cancer. Let’s unite and support each other.

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

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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.

Sign Up for FORCE Newsletters
Our blog features educational information and personal perspectives relevant to the hereditary cancer community.

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Books And Movies (15)

Breast Reconstruction And Going Flat (11)

Cancer Treatment (12)

Decision Making (4)

Diversity And Inclusion (16)

Emotional Health And Well Being (3)

FORCE And FORCE Impact (28)

Family Communication (3)

Fertility And Parenting (2)

Genetic Testing (21)

Health Equity And Disparities (13)

Health And Fitness (4)

Hereditary Cancer - General (11)

Inspirational (27)

Laws, Protections And Public Policy (27)

Men With Mutations (13)

Partnerships (5)

Quality Of Life (2)

Risk Management (9)

Supporting FORCE (4)

Volunteer Spotlight (59)

Volunteer Spotlight – Debbie Lesser

June 30, 2022

Volunteer Spotlight – Debbie Lesser

Posted in...: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: Genetic Testing, BRCA1, Volunteer, American Sign Language

Most Recent

Volunteer Spotlight – Debbie Lesser

What Chris Evert’s Story Can Teach the World about Genetic Testing

Advocacy Spotlight: Increasing Our Focus on State Level Issues

Not All Genetic Tests are Created Equal

Behind the Scenes of an Awareness Video: How a Genetic Support Foundation and BRCA Patients are Making a Difference

Volunteer Spotlight – Mike Philbin

April 29, 2022

Volunteer Spotlight – Mike Philbin

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: BRCA2, Prostate Cancer, Men With Mutations, FORCE, Volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight - Haley and Andrea

February 28, 2022

Volunteer Spotlight - Haley and Andrea

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: BRCA, Hereditary Cancer, Previvor, FORCE, Volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight – Will and Maddie

January 03, 2022

Volunteer Spotlight – Will and Maddie

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: Hereditary Cancer, Genetic Testing, LGBTQ, Volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight – Karen Ewing

November 02, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight – Karen Ewing

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: Hereditary Cancer, Breast Cancer, BRCA1, Volunteer

August 30, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight – Faith Miller

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: Hereditary Cancer, Genetic Testing, Prophylactic Mastectomy, BRCA1, Volunteer, Americansignlanguage

June 30, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight - Scott Lanman

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight , Caregivers
Tags: Hereditary Cancer, BRCA1, BRCA2, Peer Navigation, Support, Volunteer

April 29, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight – Tanya Temkin

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: Ovarian Cancer, BRCA2, Volunteer

February 26, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight – Sivan Schondorf

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

January 04, 2021

Volunteer Spotlight – Ashley Dedmon

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight , Diversity And Inclusion
Tags: Genetic Testing, BRCA2

October 30, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Dana Tiller

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: Genetic Testing, BRCA1, FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Krystin Morgan and Tammy Fahber

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Laurie Spiegel

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Maria Serra & Cassie Kobeski

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Eva May

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Debbie Setuain, Romane Petit Joseph, Kirstin d'Incelli & Annie Brickel

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Carly Miller

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Eileen Mallory & Lisa Evans

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Angel Moses

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Joanne Kelly

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Cindy Messman

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Brenda Lam, Marlene Cunningham & Amy Yoffe

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Kendra Montanari

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 07, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Sandra Dei Dolori

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Genetic Counselors & Staff at St. Joseph Hospital Center for Cancer Prevention & Treatment

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Elana Fata

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Tami Marinello and Eileen Kastura

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - David Dessert

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: Pancreatic Cancer, FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Annette Seelig

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Tammy Li

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Kate Robins

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Jan Gronemeyer

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Jill Oster, Janelle Morrison & Katrina Wells

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Susan Davis

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Jane Herman

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Rosemary Ciotti

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Teri Woodhull

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Marleah Dean Kruzel

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Marybeth Harakas

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Northern New Jersey Support Team

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Arcadia University Students

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Carmen Pace

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Mollie Smith

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Judy Calabria

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Robin Karlin & Nicole Rose Land

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Debbie Setuain & Christy Thacker

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Rhonda Scanlon

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Brian Honick

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Mary Orloff & Brandi Forbes

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Susan Feinberg

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Susie Goldenberg

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Marisol Rosas

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Paul Kredow

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Kate Downey Berges

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Julie Klein

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Rachel Householder

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Amy Byer Shainman

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Tara Freundlich

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2012

Volunteer Spotlight - Heather Fineman

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
Tags: FORCE, Volunteer