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.

Are you at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer? People who are at increased risk have medical options for lowering their risk or detecting cancer early.

High-Risk Women

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

People with an inherited mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, PALB2, CHEK2 or another gene mutation linked to breast or ovarian cancer, and those with a family history of cancer may benefit from additional information and support.

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.

After Testing, Now What?

Finding a genetic counselor

Assembling your healthcare team

Making medical decisions about risk

Options for detecting and preventing cancer

FORCE video: ABCs of Cancer Genetics

FORCE video: Putting it all together to make decisions

Genes and Cancer Risks

BRCA1 mutations

BRCA2 mutations

CHEK2 mutations

PALB2 mutations

BARD1, BRIP1, RAD51C/D, others

Screening and Prevention Guidelines

BRCA1 mutations

BRCA2 mutations

CHEK2 mutations

PALB2 mutations

BARD1, BRIP1, RAD51C/D, others

Breast Cancer Screening and Risk Reduction

Breast cancer screening

Medication to reduce risk

Mastectomy to reduce risk

Finding breast experts

Brochure: Considering mastectomy? Questions to ask your doctor

Checklist: Preparing for mastectomy surgery

Insurance and paying for risk-reducing surgery

Breast Reconstruction or Going Flat After Mastectomy

Types of reconstruction

Choosing no reconstruction

Photo and video gallery

Webinar: Breast Reconstruction Options

Book: The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook

Insurance and paying for care

Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act

Ovarian Cancer Screening and Risk Reduction

Ovarian cancer screening

Medication to reduce risk

Surgery to reduce risk

Finding ovarian cancer experts

Insurance and paying for risk-reducing surgery

Checklist: Preparing for oophorectomy surgery

Webinar: Pros and cons of hysterectomy at the time of risk-reducing surgery

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

XRAY review: Hormone Therapy after Ovary Removal

Webinar: Long Term Consequences of Menopause

Webinar: Managing Menopause with and without Hormones

Screening and Prevention Research

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 screening and prevention studies

Search for quality of life studies

Behind the Headlines (XRAY) Program

Breast cancer risk

Breast cancer screening and prevention

Ovarian cancer risk

Ovarian cancer screening and prevention

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

Support for High Risk Women

Receive personalized support

Find local support or attend a video support meeting

Visit our message boards

Speak with a genetic counselor

Subscribe to our updates

Join our private Facebook group

Legal Protections

Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

GINA and health insurance

GINA and employment protections

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Webinar: Insurance & your legal rights

Medical leave and disability rights

If your rights have been violated

This Portal Sponsored By:

Allergan Foundation

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