Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers.
With nearly two decades of leadership as the largest national nonprofit organization focused solely on hereditary breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and related cancers (HBOC), FORCE stands apart. A tireless champion of the HBOC community, FORCE is intensifying efforts to raise awareness of hereditary cancers to the 2.3 million people impacted – many of whom are unaware of their risk. Created by and for HBOC-affected individuals and families, FORCE was founded on the principle that no one should face hereditary cancer alone. FORCE provides local and national programs providing support, education, advocacy, and research on behalf of the hereditary cancer community.
Cancers that occur because of an inherited mutation are called hereditary cancers. Cancers that are not due to an inherited gene change are called “sporadic cancer.”
Sporadic cancer and hereditary cancer differ in several ways that may affect health care decisions:
- Hereditary cancers are caused in part by gene mutations passed on from parents to their children. Other blood relatives may share these same gene changes. Sporadic cancers are believed to arise from gene damage acquired from environmental exposures, dietary factors, hormones, normal aging, and other influences. Most acquired gene changes are not shared among relatives or passed on to children.
- Hereditary cancers often occur earlier than the sporadic form of the same cancer, so experts often recommend different screening, at a younger age for people with a gene mutation or hereditary cancer in their family.
- Hereditary cancers can sometimes be more aggressive than the sporadic form of the same cancer. For example, hereditary prostate cancers tend to be more aggressive and more likely to spread than sporadic prostate cancers.
- Hereditary cancers may respond to different treatments than sporadic cancers. For example, PARP inhibitors are drugs that were designed to treat cancers associated with BRCA mutations. The agent Keytruda has been approved for treating cancers in people with Lynch Syndrome.
- Individuals who have inherited a gene change may be at a higher risk for more than one type of cancer. For cancer survivors, this may affect cancer treatment options, prevention, or follow-up care.
FORCE accomplishes this mission by creating awareness, supplying information and support to our community, advocating for and supporting research and working with the research and medical communities to help people dealing with hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers.
Since 1999, FORCE has been the voice of experience and has empowered cancer survivors and those at high risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. FORCE provides support, education, and awareness to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their options and make informed decisions. FORCE has taken a leadership role in guiding critical research and policy issues that impact the hereditary cancer community.
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16057 Tampa Palms Blvd. W, PMB #373
Tampa, Florida 33647
Toll-free Helpline: 866-288-RISK (7475)
Fax: 954-827-2200
https://www.facingourrisk.org
[email protected]
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