National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week

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Bany
Bany Member Posts: 53
edited June 2014 in Genetic Testing

Does herditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer run in your family?  

 Did you know that last year, FORCE http://www.facingourrisk.org/index.php worked with Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) to pass Natioanl Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and National Previvor Day. It starts on September 25 and runs through October 2.

 Info FROM FORCE:   http://www.facingourrisk.org/events/special_event.php

Join the Celebration: HBOC Week (September 25th - October 2nd) & Previvor Day (September 28th)

Celebrate With FORCE and Make a Difference.

In 2010, history was made with FORCE’s successful effort to pass a Congressional resolution declaring the first-ever National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week and National Previvor Day.

The goal of HBOC Week and Previvor Day is to raise awareness about hereditary cancer. HBOC Week marks the transition between National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and recognizes anyone affected by hereditary breast or ovarian cancer, including women and men with BRCA mutations, people with a family history of cancer, breast and ovarian cancer survivors, and previvors, individuals who carry a strong predisposition to cancer but have not developed the disease.

An estimated three-quarters of a million Americans carry an inherited BRCA mutation but nearly 90% of these individuals don’t know about their risk. National HBOC Week and Previvor Day aim to help change that. And, it all starts with a celebration; please join us!  

There will be events happening nationwide. http://www.facingourrisk.org/events/HBOCWeekEvents.php   Check the schedule for info about events in your area.  On Wednesday, therehere will also be a FREE teleconference offered by Previvor and speaker, Merit Gest.  http://meritgest.com/national-previvor-day-september-28-2011.html that perhaps your friends and family might be interested in attending.

I never knew it ran in my family.  It was hidden by a small family with mostly men!  My dad was a carrier of the BRCA2 genetic mutation.  He died of cancer before he knew he was a carrier.  

I am an eleven year BC survivor, although I only learned of the BRCA mutation in the family four years ago.  SInce then I have been working with FORCE as an Outreach Volunteer.  I believe in spreading the word about the FORCE mission which includes support, education, advocacy, awareness, and research specific to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. FORCE's programs serve anyone with a BRCA mutation or a family history of cancer.

I hope some of this information is helpful to other with HBOCS in the family!!

Best,

Bethany


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Comments

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited September 2011

    Wow. How fitting! My mom passed away october 2nd 1989 from ovarian cancer. I am now fighting my second diagnoses of breast cancer and am brca1 positive. Thank you for all the resources and I will heck them out when I get to my computer as I am using my phone now!

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  • dgee
    dgee Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2011

    Thanks, Bethany for getting the word out there!  I am similiar with BRCA2 and my dad and his dad had prostate cancer.  No other breast or ovarian cancers that we know of in the family.  I was diagnosed at 40 with bc so did the testing and we were floored that I had the gene.  One sister has it also and one doesn't.  I have 2 daughters, age 7 and 8 so praying for a cure before they grow up!  Happy HBOC week - great to be getting some recognition for us hereditary sisters! 

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  • Sandals
    Sandals Member Posts: 104
    edited October 2011

    Maybe stop hoping for a cure and do your own research and look beyond the few genes they've tested. Prevention maybe for your daughters? Rather than waiting on the multi billion dollar FDA to find a cure! It will never happen!! What about food, lifestyle, environment etc passed down from generation to generation!?

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  • Miles2Go
    Miles2Go Member Posts: 120
    edited January 2012

    I agree with Sandals.

    I've read, listened, and absorbed more about bca and ca in general the past 3 months than I'd have believed exists. 

    I admit it, I'm cynical.  What color is this latest cancer "cottage industry" going to claim?

    Ask yourself . If a cure for bca or ca in general were found tomorrow? ~ think of the economic impact!  Thousands of employees (medical, drug, etc!) would be out of work.  I am convinced a cure is dependent on politics and economics.

    I acknowledge I know women in "perfect health" diagnosed with bca; however, as Sandals wrote, common sense and lifestyle choices, passed on to our daughters, are key to healthy living.  Namaste ~  CMG

    ~promises to keep, and miles to go... 
    Diagnosis: 9/29/2011, ILC, <1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 1, 1/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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