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Policy Archive
Successful Effort
Establishment of National HBOC Week and Previvor Day
On September 15th, 2010, in a unanimous show of support, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a Resolution sponsored by Rep. Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) establish National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and National Previvor Day. National HBOC week is now recognized as an annual event, beginning the last Sunday in September and ending the first Saturday in October. National Previvor Day occurs on the Wednesday of that week.
The timing—the transition between National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September) and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)—demonstrates the link between these two cancers. It is estimated that up to 25% of ovarian cancers are due to hereditary factors and approximately 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. FORCE is proud to have spearheaded this initiative to bring attention to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndromes and to recognize their impact on the families affected.
Read the text of the resolution, H Res #1522.
Update: With the growth of the hereditary cancer community and expansion of FORCE's mission to serve a broader population, National Hereditary Cancer Week was instituted in 2020.
News Briefs
9/25/2024 - Sent a letter to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee strongly opposing efforts to advance S. 2140, the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA), which would allow patents on abstract ideas, laws of nature, and natural phenomena.
9/9/2024 - Signed on to a comment letter encouraging coverage of computed tomography colonography (CTC) procedures and follow-up colonoscopies in the proposed Medicare and Medicaid Program 2025 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) rule.
8/2/2024 - Responded to an RFI from Representatives DeGette and Bucshon, providing input on the successes, gaps and unmet needs in the 21st Century Cures and CURES 2.0 initiatives, suggesting components for future efforts.
Related Resources
State and Local HBOC Week & Previvor Day Proclamations
- City of Cincinnati HBOC Week / Previvor Day Proclamation 2012
- Delhi Township 2012 HBOC Week / Previvor Day Proclamation
Select Press Coverage & Blogs
- Official National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and Previvor Day, Miami's Community Newspapers
- 'Our BRCA positive marriage,' Bryna Siegel Finer, philly.com
- Celebrating HBOC Week: Previvors Have Come So Far—But Still Have a Long Way to Go, Dina Roth Port
- National Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Week, Nancy's Point: A blog about breast cancer & loss
- Did You Know It's Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week?, Ms. Magazine Blog