Breast Cancer AMA Week: We are here from Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors to talk about managing breast and ovarian cancer risk and assuring all people have access to cancer risk management. AUA!

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Hi Reddit! We are here from Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors. We work with people who are at increased risk of breast, ovarian, and related cancers due to inherited mutations in genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2 and others. FORCE provides expert-reviewed information on current risk management guidelines and targeted treatments for these hereditary cancers. We work to assure that everyone affected by hereditary cancer has access to genetic counseling, testing and risk management. We are concerned about gaps in coverage and disparities in cancer risk management, including ethnic disparities, access to care for people with mutations who have not had cancer, and coverage of genetic counseling and testing for men.

Here’s a bit about those of us answering your questions today:

Lisa Rezende, PhD Vice President for Education at FORCE: I develop educational materials for people facing hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers. FORCE is dedicated to improving the lives of people facing hereditary cancer.

Leigha Senter, MS, LGC: I am a genetic counselor and a cancer expert from the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Genetic counselors help people understand and adapt to the medical and, psychological aspects of diseases that run in families, and NSGC serves as an integral resource for people interested in learning more about genetic counseling. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I can discuss:

• how genetic counselors assess risk of breast cancer in a family, and the implications of family history on cancer risk
• hereditary types of breast cancer

• how you can find a genetic counselor if you’re interested in cancer genetic testing

  I am also happy to answer questions about ensuring access to appropriate care for everyone including people of all ethnic backgrounds regardless of gender and health status.

If you would like more information about FORCE and how we help people facing hereditary cancer please see http://ift.tt/Oyv0ia. If you are concerned that the cancer in your family might be hereditary, please see our “Should I get genetic testing?” page.

We’ll be back at 1 pm EST (10 am PST, 6 pm UTC) to answer your questions, ask us anything!

">Breast Cancer AMA Week: We are here from Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors to talk about managing breast and ovarian cancer risk and assuring all people have access to cancer risk management. AUA!