Hereditary Cancer
Support
Pre-vivor support
Confronting your personal cancer risk can be confusing and frustrating. If you are a cancer pre-vivor trying to choose the best risk-management option, sometimes it helps to speak with other women who have faced these choices. Learn more about talking with other high-risk women in our website’s support section or visit the following sections of the FORCE website to find more support resources specifically for pre-vivors:
- support through FORCE
- toll-free helpline
- message board
- chat room (special pre-vivor chats are held on Monday evenings at 10 pm EST)
- young pre-vivors discussion list (for pre-vivors age 30 or under)
- support groups specific to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
- other support sites with sections on hereditary cancer risk
- Breastcancer.org
A section on their message board is devoted to high-risk women. - Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Society of Alberta
Face-to-face support groups and events. - Hyster Sisters
A section on their message board is devoted to cancer concerns. - Sharsheret
Its Link program can provide phone support for Jewish women at high risk for cancer. - Young Survival Coalition
A portion of their message board is devoted to genetics and breast cancer.
- Breastcancer.org
Breast cancer support
Confronting a breast cancer diagnosis can be frightening. Sometimes it helps to speak with other people who are also going through breast cancer diagnosis or treatment. In addition to the following resources, you should contact your local hospitals, American Cancer Society, or religious organizations to see if they offer in-person cancer support groups.
- support through FORCE
- support groups specific to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
- other breast cancer support resources and websites
- Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)
Sponsors listservs (electronic mailing lists) for many types of cancer, including a male breast cancer discussion list. - Breastcancer.org
Its website includes an active support message board for women diagnosed with breast cancer. - Sharsheret
Links young Jewish women in their fight against breast cancer. - Y-Me
Offers a 24-hour support hotline for those diagnosed with breast cancer. - Young Survival Coalition
Offers online message board for women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 and under.
- Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)
Ovarian cancer support
Confronting an ovarian cancer diagnosis can be frightening. Sometimes it helps to speak with other people who are also going through breast cancer diagnosis or treatment. In addition to the following resources, you should contact your local hospitals, American Cancer Society, or religious organizations to see if they offer in-person cancer support groups.
- support through FORCE
- support groups specific to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
- other ovarian cancer support resources and websites
- Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)
Sponsors listservs (electronic mailing lists) for many types of cancer, including a very active ovarian cancer list. - Hyster Sisters
Offers an online message board for women facing hysterectomy or gynecologic surgery. - National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Its website includes a support forum for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. - Ovca.net
An active online community for women affected by ovarian cancer.
Support for other types of cancer
Colon Cancer Alliance
Operates a toll-free helpline, discussion list, chat and a Buddy Program for people affected by colon cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan)
Provides links to online, telephone and in person pancreatic support groups.
Us Too
Offers support for men affected by prostate cancer.
General cancer support
American Cancer Society
Offers support for all cancer types.
Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)
Sponsors listservs (electronic mailing lists) for many types of cancer.
Cancercare
Offers support for individuals with cancer, their families and their caretakers.
Gilda’s Club
Has support programs for individuals and families affected by any cancer type.
The Wellness Community
Offers online support for people affected by any cancer type.
Hereditary disease support
Genetic Alliance
A nonprofit organization devoted to families affected by hereditary diseases. They maintain a list of organizations and support groups for hereditary diseases on their website.
National Organization for Rare Disorders
A nonprofit organization devoted to families affected by rare diseases. NORD maintains a list of organizations and support groups on its website.