FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

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.

Private Facebook Group

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

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.

People diagnosed with breast cancer may benefit from genetic testing, tumor testing and targeted therapies. Results from testing may reveal new medical options or opportunities to participate in research.

I am here because:

I need to know more about genetic testing

I tested positive for an inherited mutation

I am at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer

I have Lynch syndrome

I have been diagnosed with breast cancer

I need to know more about colorectal cancer

I have Jewish ancestry

I need to know more about biomarker testing

I need to know more about endometrial cancer

I have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer

I need to know more about pancreatic cancer

I need to know more about prostate cancer

I need to know more about menopause

I am a healthcare provider

Breast Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you have may questions about your medical care. We've compiled expert-reviewed resources to help you take steps to protect your own health and the health of your relatives. Click on each topic below to learn more. If you need additional guidance, please sign up for our Peer Navigation Program. You are not alone.

Breast Cancer and Genetic Testing

Genetic testing for people diagnosed with breast cancer

Inherited mutations linked to breast cancer

Benefits of genetic testing

Genetic testing: How to get started

What is genetic counseling?

Speak with a genetic counselor

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer stages & subtypes

Standard treatment for breast cancer

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy side effects

Biomarker testing

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy

PARP inhibitors

Research and media coverage of breast cancer

Find a Clinical Trial

Why enroll in research?

Featured research studies

How to search for research studies

Your rights as a participant in research

Clinical trial safety

Search for breast cancer treatment studies

Search for quality of life studies

Paying for Care

Paying for genetic counseling and testing

Paying for treatment

Laws & Protections

Health insurance appeals

Webinar: Navigating Insurance Challenges When You Have a Gene Mutation

Webinar: Insurance & Your Legal Rights

Finding Experts

Comprehensive cancer centers

Genetic counselors

Breast reconstruction surgeons

Fertility experts

Menopause experts

Physical therapists

Sexual health experts

Breast Reconstruction or Going Flat

Types of reconstruction

Choosing no reconstruction

Photo and video gallery

Webinar: Breast Reconstruction Options

Book: The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook

Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act

Fertility and Family Planning

Cancer treatment and fertility preservation

Assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

Paying for fertility care and assisted reproductive technology

Webinar: Pregnancy & Fertility for Survivors & Previvors

Webinar: Exploring Your Family Planning Options through Assisted Reproduction

Managing Menopause

Menopause symptoms

Managing menopause without hormones

Managing menopause with hormones

Find a menopause expert

Webinar: Long Term Consequences of Menopause

Webinar: Managing Menopause with and without Hormones

Wellbeing and Survivorship

Nutrition, exercise and weight

Emotional wellbeing

Sexual health and intimacy

Palliative and integrative care

Webinar: Complementary and Integrative Medicine for Symptom Management

Sharing With Family

Importance of sharing

Collecting and sharing health information

Sharing genetic test results with adult relatives

Brochure: The Genes Between Us

Worksheet: Sharing with Family

Sharing information with children

Legal Protections

Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Genetic privacy laws

Americans with Disabilities Act

If your rights have been violated

Support Resources

Connect with local volunteers

Receive personalized support

Attend a support meeting or event

Participate on our message boards

Webinar: Coping with hereditary cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
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info@facingourrisk.org