FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing

Close

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

Close

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

Close

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

Close

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

Close

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

Close

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.

This page provides important information and resources for members of the healthcare or research community who focus on hereditary cancers.

Healthcare Providers and Researchers

I am here to learn about:

Genetic Testing Lynch Syndrome I've Tested Positive, Now What? Men with Mutations Managing Menopause Women with Mutations Genetics and Prostate Cancer Genetics and Ovarian Cancer Genetics and Endometrial Cancer Genetics and Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Testing Information for Healthcare Professionals Information for Researchers Genetics and Pancreatic Cancer Genetics and Breast Cancer

The resources and information on this page may be helpful for professionals who focus on care, supportive services or research for people affected by hereditary cancers.

Provider Resources

Subscribe to our quarterly healthcare provider update to receive up-to-date hereditary cancer information

Order free brochures to share with your patients

Continuing Education Opportunities

Health Literacy in the Digital Age: Applications to Genomics

Digital Health Information: Media Coverage and Impact on Patients

Understanding/Addressing Health Disparties to Improve Breast Cancer Care

Mental Health Care of Cancer Survivors Training (EMHCCS)

Educating Medical Providers About Breast Cancer in Young Women

Continuing Education Opportunities

Let’s Talk: Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer Survivorship

Early Onset Breast Cancer (EOBC) Education

Triage Cancer CE for Physicians and Nurses on Insurance and Finance Intensive

Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Are Your Patients at Risk?

Engaging Patients in Research

Featured research studies

Find clinical trials enrolling people with inherited mutations

Collaborate with FORCE in your research efforts

Take our researcher survey on patient engagement

XRAY Program: behind the cancer research headlines

Help Your Patients Find Support

Local volunteers

Personalized support

Support meetings or events

Webinar: Coping with Hereditary Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stories from the community

Subscribe to our updates

Toll-free helpline in English and Spanish

Policy and Legal Protections

Public policy priorities

Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

GINA protections against health insurance discrimination

GINA protections against discrimination in employment and wellness programs

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Information and Guidelines

Signs of an inherited mutation

Who should consider genetic counseling and testing?

How to find a genetics expert

Gene mutations and the cancers they cause

Risk, management and treatment guidelines by gene mutation

Finding Experts for Referrals

Comprehensive cancer centers

Genetic counselors

Licensed acupuncturists

Fertility experts

Menopause experts

Physical therapists

Accredited sleep centers

Sexual health experts

Paying for Care

Paying for genetic services

Paying for screening

Paying for risk-reducing surgery

Paying for treatment

Paying for clinical trial participation

Health insurance appeals

Webinar: Navigating Insurance Challenges with an Inherited Mutation

Receive the latest
updates from Force

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. W, PMB #373
Tampa, FL 33647

866-288-RISK (7475)

info@facingourrisk.org