Download For more information - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Press Release
For more information:
Member Name
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
Member Phone Number
Member Email Address
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Location Celebrates 2014 National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week
September 28 – October 4
And National Previvor Day on October 1
FORCE Recognizes Families Affected by Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC)
During this Special Awareness Week
Your City, State (Date) -- You may have your dad’s eyes and your mom’s smile, but you can also inherit risk for
cancer from either parent. Some families carry a genetic change known as a mutation in genes called BRCA 1 or
BRCA 2. These gene changes can cause a very high risk for breast and ovarian cancer to run in the family.
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancers have aggressively attacked generations of families, and FORCE: Facing Our
Risk of Cancer Empowered is the only national nonprofit dedicated to awareness, advocacy, research and support
for those individuals and families affected by these cancers.
National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week marks the transition between National Ovarian
Cancer Awareness Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The goal of HBOC Week and Previvor
Day is to raise awareness about hereditary cancer. During this week, from September 28 – October 4, FORCE is
recognizing and celebrating those who have been affected by HBOC, including women and men with BRCA
mutations, anyone with a family history of cancer, breast and ovarian cancer survivors, and previvors - individuals
who are living with a very high risk for cancer but have not developed the disease.
“Through awareness and education, the almost 1 million people in the United States who carry the positive BRCA
gene mutation can take steps to prevent cancer from continuing to impact the next generations. Today, an
estimated 90% of those people do not know they carry this gene mutation,” said Member Name, FORCE member
in location. “We want families to pass down recipes, photos and memories to the next generation, not the risk of
cancer.”
HBOC Week 2014, Page 2
Insert something personal such as:
Smith is a two time breast cancer survivor who has the BRCA gene mutation. Her daughter has tested positive for
the mutation and more than 10 members of her family have also tested positive. She lost her grandmother and
several aunts to breast and ovarian cancer. After learning that her breast cancer had returned, McCarron sought
genetic testing and learned that her cancer was hereditary and that her father also carries the gene.
Or
Kramer is a previvor. After watching her grandmother, aunt and cousin battle breast cancer, she sought genetic
counseling and tested positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation. She inherited the mutation from her father. Her sister
tested positive as well. Kramer has three children who each have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation.
About FORCE
No one should have to face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer alone. FORCE is the voice of the HBOC
community, providing support, education and awareness to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian
cancer know their health care options and make informed decisions. The organization is the de facto leader in
guiding critical research and policy issues that impact the HBOC community. For more information about FORCE
and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, please visit www.facingourrisk.org.
###