FORCE Blog | decision making

Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing

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

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

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.

Privacy, Policy and Legal Issues

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

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

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.

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Books And Movies (18)

Breast Reconstruction And Going Flat (11)

Cancer Treatment (14)

Decision Making (4)

Diversity And Inclusion (18)

Emotional Health And Well Being (4)

FORCE And FORCE Impact (30)

Family Communication (3)

Fertility And Parenting (3)

Genetic Testing (23)

Health Equity And Disparities (14)

Health And Fitness (5)

Hereditary Cancer - General (14)

Inspirational (27)

Laws, Protections And Public Policy (27)

Men With Mutations (13)

Partnerships (7)

Quality Of Life (3)

Risk Management (9)

Supporting FORCE (5)

Volunteer Spotlight (61)

After Mastectomy: Go Flat or Reconstruct

February 27, 2017

After Mastectomy: Go Flat or Reconstruct

Posted in: Breast Reconstruction And Going Flat
Tags: Reconstruction Or Going Flat , No Reconstruction , Going Flat , Decision Making

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Voices: Widening the Conversation Previvor Discourses and the Power of Stories

April 24, 2015

Voices: Widening the Conversation Previvor Discourses and the Power of Stories

Posted in: Voices , Decision Making
Tags: Prophylactic Mastectomy , Previvor , Prophylactic Surgery , Decision Making , Family Story

Astrophysics Meets Breast Cancer Advocacy

October 08, 2020

Astrophysics Meets Breast Cancer Advocacy

Posted in: Decision Making
Tags: Hereditary Cancer , BRCA2 , Previvor , Reconstruction Or Going Flat , Risk-reducing Mastectomy , Decision Making

Why I Chose Preventive Mastectomy

October 03, 2022

Why I Chose Preventive Mastectomy

Posted in: Stories , Previvor
Tags: Prophylactic Mastectomy , BRCA2 , Previvor , Decision Making