Annual Conference Sessions

Welcome Reception - Ticket Required

Join us at our welcome reception featuring dessert and cocktails. You'll have the opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones. Meet FORCE staff, volunteers and other attendees. You may purchase a ticket ($50) when you complete your conference registration. Limited tickets may be available on-site space permitting.  

Networking Breakfast

Grab breakfast with friends or join one of our "topic" tables to meet informally with other attendees with similar interests.

Expo Open - Late Breakfast

Visit our sponsors, partners and other exhibitors for valuable information on their programs and services. Missed the networking breakfast? Grab a late breakfast "on the go" before our opening session.

Cancer Risks, Screening and Prevention for People with ATM, CHEK2, PALB2 or Other Non-BRCA Gene Mutation

Tuya Pal, MD

This session covers the cancer risks and risk-management options for people with an inherited mutation in other genes beyond BRCA or Lynch syndrome.

Cancer Risks, Screening and Prevention for People with BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutations

Payal Shah, MD; Kara Maxwell, MD; Melissa Frey, MD

Learn about the cancer risks and the risk-management options for people with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2.

Cancer Risks, Screening and Prevention for People with Lynch Syndrome, FAP, MAP and other High-Risk Colorectal Cancer-Related Genes

Matt Yurgelun, MD

Learn about the cancer risks and risk-management options for people with Lynch syndrome, FAP, MAP and other high-risk colorectal cancer-related genes.

What is Targeted Therapy? What is Immunotherapy? Will They Work for Me?

Allison Kurian, MD, MSc; Katherine Bever, MD

Targeted therapies kill cancer cells that have certain mutations or biomarkers. Immunotherapies use the body's immune system to fight cancer. Learn about both types of treatment and the roles they play for people with hereditary cancer. 

Benefits of Exercise, Acupuncture, Yoga and Herbal Therapies

Diljeet Singh, MD, DrPH

Exercise, acupuncture, yoga and herbal therapies can be used together with standard treatment. Learn how they can help manage side effects and improve wellbeing.

What's New in Ovarian Cancer Treatment?

Elise Kohn, MD

Our expert shares the latest research on PARP inhibitors and other promising agents for treating hereditary ovarian cancer.

Networking Lunch & Expo Open

Grab a boxed lunch with friends or join one of our "topic" tables to meet informally with other attendees with similar interests. Visit our expo and meet with our sponsors and partners. 

Breast Reconstruction or Going Flat: An Overview of Choices, Issues and Results

Kathy Steligo

This session will cover the benefits and limitations of going flat, having breast reconstruction after mastectomy and hints for deciding which is right for you.  

What's New in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Kim Reiss Binder, MD

Learn about the latest research and treatment options for people diagnosed with hereditary pancreatic cancer.

What's New in Prostate Cancer Treatment?

Veda Giri, MD

Learn about the latest research and treatment options for people diagnosed with hereditary prostate cancer.

So You Want to Be an Advocate!

Diane Rose, Lisa Schlager, Marisol Rosas, Sandy Cohen

Turn your passion into positive change! This session will provide guidance on how you can become a more involved advocate in hereditary cancer research, public policy and peer support.

Manage and Overcome Fatigue and Other Side Effects

Noël Arring, DNP, PhD, RN

Are you fighting fatigue? Learn about strategies to treat fatigue resulting from a cancer diagnosis, treatment or prevention.

Genetics and Prevention Q & A Panel

Nicole Ortiz, CGC; Melissa Frey, MD; Leah Biller, MD; Payal Shah, MD; Kara Maxwell, MD

A panel of experts will answer audience questions on cancer genetics and prevention.

Fertility and Parenting Issues for Survivors and Previvors

Terri Woodard, MD

Learn about the options for fertility preservation and parenting after cancer or risk-reducing surgery for previvors and survivors.

What's New in Endometrial Cancer Treatment?

Diljeet Singh, MD, DrPH

The latest research and treatment options for people diagnosed with hereditary endometrial cancer will be discussed during this session.

Reducing Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer Risk

Kate Pennington, MD

Learn about the benefits, risks and limitations of the different surgeries used to prevent endometrial, fallopian tube and ovarian cancer.

Diet and Nutrition for Survivors and Previvors

Rachel O'Connor, RD, CSO

Proper nutrition can improve outcomes for survivors and previvors. Learn how to upgrade your diet to enhance your wellbeing.

Resources to Help You Overcome Barriers and Find Inclusive Care

Scout; Amanda Goodstadt, Esq; Debbie Denardi; Nefa-Tari Moore; Hayley Brown; Kristen Pitrelli

A panel of advocates will provide guidance on how to navigate the challenges of our health system and how their organizations are working to lower barriers to care.

What You Should Know About Breast Implants

Liza Wu, MD

Learn the benefits and risks of breast implants, how to tell if you have an implant problem and how to decide if implant removal or replacement is right for you.

Show & Tell

Our Show & Tell event offers people contemplating mastectomy or reconstruction the opportunity to meet and learn, in person, from others who have had this procedure. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and speak with the doctors who are participating in our conference sessions on reconstruction.

Ask the Experts: Speaker Roundtables and Breakfast

Have breakfast with our conference speakers and other experts ready to answer your questions.

Panel Discussion: Spotlight on hereditary cancer research

Susan Domchek, MD; Allison Kurian, MD; Paul Monk, MD; Leah Biller, MD; Janos Tanyi, MD, PhD; Sue Friedman, DVM

Hear directly from top hereditary cancer researchers about ongoing studies and new findings that most excite them.

What's New in Breast Cancer Treatment?

Filipa Lynce, MD

Speakers present the latest research and treatment options for people diagnosed with hereditary breast cancer.

Sharing Information with Children

Karen Hurley, PhD

This session provides tools and approaches for discussing hereditary cancer and other medical information with children.

Body Awareness and Cancer Symptoms

Lisa B. Aiello, PhD, RN, AOCNS

People with inherited mutations are encouraged to know their bodies and report any changes to their healthcare providers. Learn the symptoms people living in a high-risk body should look for.

CBD, Cannabinoids and Melatonin

Gregory Garber, MSW, Brooke Worster, MD

This session will cover the possible benefits and risks of CBD, cannabinoids and melatonin supplements and research updates for these products.

Breast Reconstruction Q&A Panel

Joshua Levine, MD; Alicia Billington, MD; Constance Chen, MD; Liza Wu, MD; Elisabeth Potter, MD

Still have questions about breast reconstruction after mastectomy? Our panel of experts will answer audience-submitted questions.

Resilience Through Life Challenges and Changes

Rab Razzak, MD, FAAHPM

Learn important tools to increase your resilience and improve your ability to withstand the challenges of living with hereditary cancer risk.

Sexual Health After Cancer or Prevention

Sharon Bober, PhD; Paul Chung, MD

Cancer treatment and risk-reducing surgeries can affect your sexual health. This session provides tools for overcoming the physical and emotional challenges that can impact sexuality and intimacy in previvors, survivors, and their partners.

What's New in Colorectal Cancer Treatment?

Michael Hall, MD

Speakers present the latest research and treatment options for people diagnosed with hereditary colorectal cancer.

Deciding When to Stop Disease-Directed Treatments

Rab Razzak, MD, FAAHPM

Learn about tools and resources for making difficult decisions about advanced cancers that no longer respond to treatment, including whether and when to end treatment and how to navigate end-of-life care. 

Caring for the Caregiver

Karen Hurley, MD

Providing care to a loved one with cancer comes with many challenges and rewards. Learn about resources and tools for self-care for caregivers.

Early Onset Menopause Management With or Without Hormones

Denise Nebgen, MD, PhD

This session will provide an overview of hormonal and nonhormonal options for managing the symptoms and side effects of early-onset menopause.

Screening, Prevention, Treatment and Gender Affirming Care for Transgender People with Gene Mutations

Diane Koeller, CGC; Scarlet Shiloh

Learn about cancer risk and emerging guidelines on gender-affirming care and cancer riskmanagement for trans/enby hereditary cancer survivors and previvors.

My Family Doesn't Want to Talk About It: Piercing the Cone of Silence

Angela Trepanier, CGC; Sheila Gardner; Marisol Rosas; Marleah Dean Kruzell, PhD

Learn tools and tips for sharing information about genetics and inherited cancer risk with relatives, including those who are not receptive to the information.

Pancreatic Cancer Risk Screening and Prevention

Ravi Sharaf, MD; Matt Yurgelun, MD

Pancreatic cancer screening recommendations have changed. Learn who is at risk for pancreatic cancer and the benefits, risks and costs of pancreatic cancer screening.

A Decade after Gene Patents were Banned: Where are We Now?

Jorge Contrares, JD, Lisa Schlager, Sandra Park, JD.

Learn how the issue of gene patents is still being debated 11 years after the landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to ban gene patents. Learn how this ruling and current efforts to reform patent law affect the hereditary cancer community.

Tumor Biomarkers and Liquid Biopsies for Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment and Monitoring

Eric Konnick, MD, MS

This session covers tumor biomarker testing and liquid biopsies and how they are used to screen for cancer, guide treatment selection, monitor treatment response and detect recurrence.

What's New in Breast Cancer Prevention

Judy Garber, MD

Learn the latest updates on screening and nonsurgical prevention for people at high risk for breast cancer.

Understanding Physical Activity and Bone Mineral Density

Paula Papanek, PhD, MPT, ATC/L, FACSM, CEEAA; Mona Al Mukaddam, MD, MS

Cancer treatment and risk-reducing surgery can have negative effects on bone health. Learn about bone density tests and the benefits of exercise in supporting bone health and other quality of life issues.

General Session: Conference Closing

Paul Monk, MD; Greg Garber, LCSW; Judy Garber, MD; Katherine Bever, MD; Emily Ko, MD, MSCR

Join us for a Q&A panel where we'll address the most frequently asked questions from conference attendees.