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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

I am here to learn about:

Genetics and Colorectal Cancer

LGBTQIA+ and Cancer

Genetic Testing

Women with Mutations

Men with Mutations

Genetics and Ovarian Cancer

Family History and Outreach

Genetics and Breast Cancer

Genetics and Pancreatic Cancer

I've Tested Positive, Now What?

Information for Healthcare Professionals

Biomarker Testing

Managing Menopause

Genetics and Prostate Cancer

Genetics and Endometrial Cancer

Information for Researchers

Healthcare Providers and Researchers

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.

Subscribe to Our Healthcare Provider Updates

Our quarterly healthcare provider updates keep you up to date on the latest information on hereditary cancer and FORCE initiatives and programs you can share with your patients.

Order or Print Brochures in English and Spanish

Order or print free brochures to share with your patients.

FREE On-Demand CEU Webinar for Genetic Counselors: Media Coverage of Cancer and Its Impact on Patients

Image of a slide from the presentation This CEU opportunity is offered free for genetic counselors. The webinar demonstrates how the media distorts cancer research, explains the impact this has on patients and provides resources for genetic counselors to help increase their patients' digital health literacy.

Additional Continuing Education Opportunities

Precision Medicine & Biomarker Testing: Using Patient-Tested Plain Language to Improve Communication with Patients

Breast Health Equity: Reducing Structural Barriers

Mental Health Care of Cancer Survivors Training (EMHCCS)

Bridging the Care Continuum: A Pilot Program for Underserved Women with Breast Cancer

Genetic/Familial Risk Assessment for Breast Cancer: Testing Considerations and Controversies

Clinical Scenario #2: Applying Biomarkers in Metastatic Breast Cancer

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?

Help Connect Patients to Research

FORCE's Featured Research page

Use our Search and Enroll Tool to findclinical trials enrolling people with inherited mutations

Collaborate with FORCE in your research efforts

Read our XRAY reviews on research results

Help Your Patients Know their Legal Rights

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)

Video: Your Legal Rights

Help Your Patients Find Support

Local volunteers

Personalized support

Calendar of support meetings & events

Virtual community group meeting:

Caregivers
LGBTQIA
Men
Meetings in American Sign Language
Meetings in Spanish
People of Color
Previvors
Young Previvors
Survivors
Young Survivors

Toll-free helpline in English and Spanish

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

Information in Spanish

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

Video: Navigating Insurance Challenges When You Have a Hereditary Genetic Mutation