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September Monthly News & Updates Dear Voornaam, September is a busy month for FORCE, as we recognize Ovarian Cancer and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. At the end of the month—during
National HBOC Week and Previvor Day—we shine the spotlight on hereditary cancers. As the leading voice and resource for people affected by hereditary cancers, FORCE keeps you current on the latest news and information.
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HBOC Week and Previvor Day 2019  During National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week (September 29 – October 5) and on National Previvor Day (October 2), we recognize and honor those who have been affected by hereditary breast, ovarian and related cancers. We raise awareness so others can have the life-saving information they need to make informed medical decisions. Knowledge is power! We hope you will join us later this month as we recognize these days.
Recognize National HBOC Week
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Save the Date: Joining FORCEs Conference 2020  Knowledge is Power! Join us and our conference partner, the Basser Center for BRCA, in Philadelphia from June 18-20, 2020. Choose from dozens of sessions conducted by leading experts on hereditary breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and related cancers, enjoy opportunities to network and meet the researchers and organizations working to support our community. Watch our monthly updates for registration and session information.
For More Information
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New Pancreatic Cancer, Metastatic Prostate Cancer and Metastatic Breast Cancer Portals  If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, metastatic prostate cancer or metastatic breast cancer, visit our three new portals with links to information, research, support and resources and more. Learn the role that genetics can play in these cancers, treatment options and opportunities to participate in clinical trials.
Visit Our Prostate Cancer Portal, Metastatic Prostate Cancer Portal or Metastatic Breast Cancer Portal
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Impacts of Germline Testing After Cancer Diagnosis  What are the impacts of germline testing for hereditary cancer after diagnosis? To find out, read the recent article by FORCE staff Kelly Owens, Lisa Schlager and Piri Welcsh published in Evidence-Based Oncology®.
Read the Article
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Meet Other People Who Share Your Mutation and Situation  Connect with other members of the hereditary cancer community through our new, secure message board. The new board has enhanced features like private messaging, ability to personalize your profile and a free app to improve mobile device access.
Join Our Online Community
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Volunteer Spotlight: Eileen Mallory and Lisa Evans  Thank you Eileen and Lisa, FORCE Outreach Leaders, for raising awareness with healthcare providers and providing support to individuals and families in Ann Arbor, Michigan since 2010. You have made a tremendous difference to so many people. If you are interested in paying it forward and making an impact to others, complete a FORCE Volunteer application today.
Read Eileen and Lisa's Stories
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XRAYS Looks Behind the Headlines on Palliative Care and Quality of Life for People with Metastatic Breast Cancer  Does supportive care improve quality of life for people with metastatic breast cancer? Read our latest XRAYS article to learn what researchers found. #helpnothype
Read Our XRAYS Review
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Passionate Volunteers Needed If you are interested in making a difference, consider volunteering in one of these important roles: - Outreach Leaders to provide local support by phone and email in Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Rhode Island and Vermont.
- Peer Navigators to provide personalized support over the phone. Especially looking for ATM, CHEK2, PALB2, PTEN, TP53 and Lynch syndrome gene mutation carriers.
- Research Advocates to serve as patient advisors for research studies, grant review, expert working groups and more.
Learn More and Apply
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Be a FORCE Multiplier for Good!  According to research, over 80% of people polled say they are more likely to make a philanthropic gift if their donations are matched. That’s why members of our community are coming together, each donating a gift of $500.00 or more, to create the FORCE Multiplier Matching Gift Fund; a special pool of funding that will match individuals’ gifts to FORCE this holiday season. They aim to inspire more people to give, so FORCE can do more for our community.
Inspire Others
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Connect with FORCE Volunteers  Network with volunteers in your state to learn about local resources and get-togethers, sign up for Peer Navigation to receive a free resource guide and talk with an individual who shares a similar experience as you or ask questions on our message board. Reach out at any time. You are not alone.
Connect with a Local Volunteer / Receive Guide & Personalized Support / Post on Message Board
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Read Our FORCE Blog for More Updates  Subscribe to our blog, Thoughts from FORCE, for personal stories and deeper insights into issues that affect our community. Recent topics include: View Our Blog
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Breast Implant Recall Follow-up  Should you be concerned if you have textured implants? Read the latest info and download our sample insurance appeal letter if you are denied coverage for breast implant removal with or without replacement.
Read More
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Find HBOC Studies and Participate in Research!
Please visit our new and improved HBOC Research Search Tool and Featured Research Page to find and participate in research studies enrolling patients like you.
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Healthy Mind Healthy You Study  Got stress? Most people do. Click the link below to learn about how you can use mindfulness to cope with stress in your daily life, and join a worldwide research study of people who are taking control of their stress one thought, feeling, and breath at a time.
Learn More about Healthy Mind Healthy You
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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TRITON2- Prostate Cancer  The purpose of TRITON2 is to determine how patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and an inherited gene mutation or tumor genetic deficiency respond to treatment with the PARP inhibitor rucaparib (Rubraca).
More Information on TRITON2
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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
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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
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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
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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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MAGENTA (MAking GENetic Testing Accessible) The MAGENTA study is open to women 30 year s of age or older who may be at increased risk to develop ovarian cancer based on their personal or family history. Participants who qualify for this study will undergo genetic testing (using a saliva sample) for 19 genes associated with inherited cancer risk (including BRCA1 and BRCA2), and complete a series of online questionnaires regarding their experience. Some individuals in this study will undergo genetic counseling over the phone; others will not. Participation in this trial will not require any travel, but will require access to the internet and phone. Learn More About MAGENTA
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