FORCE Blog | Volunteer Spotlight

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.

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.

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

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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.

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 > Volunteer Spotlight

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Decision Making (2)

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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 (9)

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Volunteer Spotlight (51)

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

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Volunteer Spotlight - Dana Tiller

October 30, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Dana Tiller

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Volunteer Spotlight - Krystin Morgan and Tammy Fahber

September 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Krystin Morgan and Tammy Fahber

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Volunteer Spotlight - Laurie Spiegel

July 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Laurie Spiegel

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
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May 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Maria Serra & Cassie Kobeski

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March 01, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight - Eva May

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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

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September 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Eileen Mallory & Lisa Evans

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July 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Angel Moses

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May 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Joanne Kelly

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March 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Cindy Messman

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January 01, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight - Brenda Lam, Marlene Cunningham & Amy Yoffe

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Kendra Montanari

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September 07, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Sandra Dei Dolori

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July 01, 2018

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

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight - Elana Fata

Posted in: Volunteer Spotlight
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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: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Annette Seelig

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September 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Tammy Li

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Kate Robins

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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

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2017

Volunteer Spotlight - Susan Davis

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Jane Herman

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Rosemary Ciotti

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Teri Woodhull

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2016

Volunteer Spotlight - Marleah Dean Kruzel

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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

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

November 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Arcadia University Students

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Carmen Pace

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Mollie Smith

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May 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Judy Calabria

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2015

Volunteer Spotlight - Robin Karlin & Nicole Rose Land

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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

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

September 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Brian Honick

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

July 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Mary Orloff & Brandi Forbes

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

May 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Susan Feinberg

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

March 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Susie Goldenberg

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Tags: FORCE, Volunteer

January 01, 2014

Volunteer Spotlight - Marisol Rosas

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November 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Paul Kredow

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September 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Kate Downey Berges

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July 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Julie Klein

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May 01, 2013

Volunteer Spotlight - Rachel Householder

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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

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