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February Monthly News & Updates

Dear Voornaam,
Did you know that February is National Cancer Prevention Month? FORCE has expert-reviewed information on medical opinions to lower your risk for hereditary cancer. This month we highlight two new XRAY reviews on topics that had wide media coverage, information about our upcoming conference, research studies enrolling people with inherited mutations, Medicare's new genetic testing policy and more.

Does Hair Dye Affect Breast Cancer Risk?

For many women, hair dyes and straighteners are part of self-care. Do these products affect breast cancer risk? XRAY reviews the limitations of a study claiming permanent dyes and straighteners increase breast cancer risk.
Read Our XRAY Review

Do Women with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Benefit From a Second Surgery?

Many women with recurrent ovarian cancer have a second surgery. Read our XRAY: behind the ovarian cancer headlines on whether or not a second surgery is beneficial for women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.
#helpnothype
Read Our XRAY Review

At Our Conference You Will Learn From the Best!

Knowledge is Power! There is no better place to gain knowledge about hereditary cancer than the Joining FORCEs Conference. Join us June 18-20, 2020, in Philadelphia, PA, where you'll learn from leading healthcare professionals and researchers from the Basser Center for BRCA, Stanford Cancer Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center and many others. You will also have a chance to network with hundreds of men and women just like you.

Learn More and Register

Survey on Preferred Terms for Genetic Testing

FORCE is working with other advocacy groups to choose common language for use when discussing genetic tests and cancer. Please take this anonymous, brief survey (7 mins) to share your understanding of and preference for different terms used to describe genetic testing.

Take the Survey

So Many Milestones These Past Six Months!

The second half of 2019 was a busy time and we are proud of all the work that we have done. We hope you are inspired by our many accomplishments and that our work has touched you in some way. We will continue to work hard on behalf of the entire hereditary cancer community.
Read Our Impact Statement

Medicare Policy on Genetic Testing Finalized

Last week, Medicare finalized its National Coverage Determination on a type of genetic testing known as "next-generation sequencing." The policy paves the way for national coverage of tumor testing and multigene panel testing for hereditary cancer in specific circumstances. It also allows for local Medicare regions to establish broader policies for hereditary cancer mutation genetic testing.
Learn More

Passionate Volunteers Needed

If you are interested in making a difference, consider volunteering as a FORCE Peer Navigator to provide personalized support over the phone and by email. We are looking for individuals with a BARD1, BRIP1, CDK4, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NF1, PMS2, RAD51C, RAD51D or STK11 genetic mutation and/or diagnosed or living with colorectal, endometrial, prostate, pancreatic or metastatic breast cancer.
Learn More and Apply

Read Our FORCE Blog for More Updates

View Our Blog

Get Support

Do you have questions or are you looking to connect with someone just like you? Reach out to a FORCE volunteer today to obtain personalized support, to learn about local resources or to simply share concerns online. You are not alone. Over 300 volunteers are available to support you and your family.

Connect With a Local Volunteer / Receive Guide & Personalized Support / Post on Message Board / Volunteer

Navigation Portals Connect People to Information, Research and Support Resources

FORCE has new portal pages with links to information, research and support resources. Learn the role that genetics can play in these cancers, treatment options and opportunities to participate in clinical trials. Personalized portals are available for:

Find HBOC Studies and Participate in Research!

Clinical Trials and Research Studies Need Participants

The research studies below are enrolling people with, or at high risk for hereditary cancer.

PALB2 Study

The PALB2 Study is an international research study looking to recruit women with PALB2 mutations who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Research shows that PALB2 mutations increase the risk of developing breast cancer; however, it is not clear how to best treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with PALB2 mutations. This research study collects information about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment using short questionnaires in order to learn more about breast cancer among women with a PALB2 mutation. This information will help to determine the best treatment for women with PALB2-associated breast cancer and determine which factors predict survival. Through a better understanding, we can personalize breast cancer treatment to increase survival and determine how to best manage at risk family members to detect cancer early or prevent it. For more information please email [email protected].

ELLIE's Project

Do you have a genetic mutation increasing your risk of cancer? Help inform us how future research on lifestyle habits can better serve YOU! Take a 20-minutes survey to learn about nutrition and exercise in relationship to hereditary cancer mutations.
Take the Survey

IMMray™ PanCan-d Test for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer in High-risk Groups

The Study of IMMray™ PanCan-d Test for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer in High-risk Groups is enrolling people who do not have pancreatic cancer, but have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Learn More

Study of Safety and Effectiveness of Motiva® Breast Implants

The only way to continue to advance the safety and performance of breast implants is through research. The Motiva Implants® US clinical study is recruiting now for breast reconstruction (both primary and revision) participants. Visit the study link to learn more and participate.
Learn More

Pilot Study of Denosumab in BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation Carriers Scheduling Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Are you a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carrier scheduled to have your fallopian tubes and ovaries removed? Learn about an opportunity to enroll in a clinical trial looking at the effects of denosumab on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus (for women getting a hysterectomy) of women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Denosumab is an FDA-approved injectable medication that is used to treat osteoporosis and to prevent fractures in cancer patients with bone metastases. The eventual goal is to understand if denosumab may be used to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
Learn More

Patient Satisfaction Survey for Previvors, Thrivers and Survivors

Please consider participating in a patient satisfaction survey for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and for high risk people. Our goal is to learn about patient satisfaction during the entire experience - from time of being identified as high risk or diagnosed with cancer, through treatment, screening or risk-reducing measures. We are trying to understand the impact of the nurse navigator on the entire experience from time of diagnosis through treatment and/or screening and prophylactic measures. We are comparing satisfaction between patients who had and those who did not have a nurse navigator.
Take the Survey

GENERATE Study

The GENERATE (GENetic Education Risk Assessment and Testing) Study offers genetic testing for people who have a close relative with pancreatic cancer that was caused by a mutation in a gene. Knowing about inherited risk helps families protect themselves against pancreatic and other cancers. Visit the study website to learn more and fill out the Eligibility Questionnaire.
Learn More About GENERATE

Screening for Men at High Genetic Risk for Prostate Cancer

CALLING ALL MEN WITH A BRCA MUTATION, A LYNCH SYNDROME MUTATION or one of the other mutations listed below! The National Institutes of Health has a clinical trial for men at high genetic risk for prostate cancer. This is trial is for men without prostate cancer, ages 30 to 70, who have tested positive for Lynch syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM) or BRCA1, BRCA2, HOXB13, ATM, NBN, TP53, CHEK2, PALB2, RAD51D, FANCA. The trial involves screening MRI of the prostate every two years and biopsy of the prostate if the MRI is abnormal. There is no cost for travel or study-related tests.
Learn More About the Study

A Study in Advanced Breast Cancer Patients With BRCA 1/2 Mutations Evaluating Olaparib Alone or In Combination With Atezolizumab

This is a study for women or men who have been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer with a BRCA 1/2 mutation. The goal of this study is to look at whether giving the DNA damage repair inhibitor (PARP inhibitor) olaparib (Lynparza) in combination with the immunotherapy atezolizumab (Tecentriq) improves outcomes for patients compared to olaparib alone.
Learn More About the Study

Olaparib Expanded Study – Metastatic Breast Cancer

The Olaparib Expanded study is enrolling people with metastatic breast cancer who do not have an inherited BRCA mutation. The study is looking at olaparib to treat metastatic breast cancer in people with non-BRCA inherited mutations, such as PALB2, ATM, CHEK2, BRIP1 and others. The study is also open to people with BRCA or other mutations within their tumor.
Learn More About the Study

CheckMate-9KD

CheckMate-9KD is a clinical research study for men with metastatic prostate cancer (which means cancer that has spread) that no longer responds to treatments that lower testosterone. Visit the link below to learn more about the study.
Learn More About CheckMate-9K

Metastatic Prostate Cancer Project

The Metastatic Prostate Cancer Project is a nationwide genomic research study for men with advanced and/or metastatic prostate cancer. Patients can join online and participate by sharing their medical information and samples. The goal of the project is to generate a comprehensive database that will be shared with the entire research community to accelerate discoveries in prostate cancer.

Learn More about the Study

Ovarian Cancer Treatment Preferences Survey

If you have ever been diagnosed with Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal cancer and have undergone chemotherapy, please consider participating in this Patient Preferences Study. Our goal is to learn about what is most important to patients when choosing cancer treatment. Specifically, we'd like to know how patients feel about taking a break from treatment versus taking an additional medication.

Click Here to Begin the Survey

Menopause and Cognitive Difficulty Study

Did you know undergoing surgically or chemically induced menopause could put you at risk for cognitive difficulties? Our study seeks to determine the effectiveness of a stimulant drug called Vyvanse on the cognitive functioning of women who experience executive functioning difficulties following surgically induced menopause. For more information, please contact our team.

Learn More About IMPRES

GENTleMEN Study: Genetic Testing for Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

The goal of this research study is to determine if online genetic education and testing with online telephone genetic counseling is an acceptable method of delivering genetic testing to men with metastatic prostate cancer.

This study involves undergoing genetic counseling and genetic testing for inherited cancer risk.

Learn More About the Study

Athena- Rucaparib and Novolumab for Maintenance in Ovarian Cancer

ATHENA is a study for women who are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. ATHENA is looking at whether maintenance therapy with a PARP inhibitor and/or immunotherapy improves outcomes for women who have completed front-line ovarian cancer treatment.

Learn More About ATHENA

Genetic Education for Men (GEM) Study

The Genetic Education for Men (GEM) study, is a clinical trial evaluating educational tools for men from families in which a BRCA1/2 gene mutation has been identified. In order to identify untested men from BRCA1/2 families, we are seeking women who have received positive BRCA1/2 test results and have at least one untested male relative.

Learn More About the GEM Study

ARIEL4- Ovarian Cancer

ARIEL4 is a treatment study for women with relapsed, high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. ARIEL4 is designed to evaluate rucaparib against standard of care chemotherapy in women who have had at least two prior chemotherapy regimens. Visit the ARIEL4 Study page for more information.

More Information on ARIEL4

TRITON3- Prostate Cancer

The purpose of TRITON3 is to determine how patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and an inherited BRCA1, BRCA2 or ATM gene mutation or tumor genetic deficiency respond to treatment with the PARP inhibitor rucaparib (Rubraca) compared to treatment with physician's choice of abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, or docetaxel.

More Information on TRITON3

BRCA Founder Outreach Study (BFOR)

BFOR is a research project led by experts in cancer genetics to study a new way to make genetic testing accessible. It offers BRCA testing at no cost to individuals age 25 or older, with at least one Ashkenazi Jewish grandparent, and who live in the Boston, New York, Los Angeles or Philadelphia metropolitan areas.

Learn More About BFOR

Metastatic Breast Cancer Project

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Project is a patient-partnered initiative that directly engages patients across the US & Canada to transform our understanding of metastatic breast cancer. Patients participate by sharing their medical information, tumor samples, and their voices. There is no cost to participate. A small effort can have a major impact.

Learn More About the Study

WISP - Women Choosing Surgical Prevention

This study is open to pre-menopausal women between 30-50 with a mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, PALB2, RAD51C, RAD51D, BARD1, MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, PMS2 or EPCAM. Women choose to either have their fallopian tubes removed now and their ovaries later or to have their tubes and ovaries removed at the same time. Outcomes are sexual function and quality of life between the women grouped by surgical procedure.

Learn More About WISP

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