Winter 2006

Welcome

by Sue Friedman

This issue of Joining FORCEs is all about community. We often hear how small the hereditary cancer community is; a minority of people diagnosed with cancers. Some consider our numbers too few to matter. Collectively we can challenge that perspective and have more power to raise awareness and guide the direction of research.

From the research community, we bring the latest developments specifi c to those with BRCA mutations. You’ll learn about the PROSE study group, a collaboration of multiple academic institutions providing research on hereditary cancer. Another significant study demonstrates that BRCA accounts for more cases of ovarian cancer than previously thought and suggests genetic counseling and testing should play a signifi cant role in the medical management of ovarian cancer patients and their families.

For those who couldn’t attend our fi rst Passing of the Torch, we share highlights of this moving, overwhelmingly successful event, where we raised awareness of the link between hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and highlighted our Boston area network. We also present the concept of pre-vivors, a special segment of the hereditary cancer community. In our Voices of FORCE story, one woman candidly describes how she was genetically tested without adequate information. She relates how FORCE helped her face her challenges and fears, and understand her choices.

Finally, we are happy to introduce Looking Back, Living Forward (below), a program designed to increase documentation of family medical information while empowering families to fi nd wisdom and strength in their own stories. As you read these articles, remember you are a part of a growing alliance; a caring community affecting positive change for individuals and families concerned with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Provide your feedback on this newsletter or this story here.

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