Previvor: Definition & Support

What is a Previvor?

The meaning of the word "previvor" is a "survivor of a predisposition to cancer." Previvors are people living with an inherited mutation who have never been diagnosed with cancer.

The term includes people with an inherited mutation, a family history of cancer, or some other factor that increases their risk for cancer.

Previvors have medical options to manage their cancer risks. These include:

• enhanced screening to find cancer early and at its most treatable stage.
• medications, lifestyle changes and other approaches to lowering cancer risk.
• surgery to remove organs at high risk before cancer develops.
• clinical research studies that are testing new ways to manage risk.

Cancer risks and management guidelines vary by gene, therefore, it's important to know which mutation you have. A genetics expert can help you understand more about your gene mutation.

What's behind the definition of previvor?

FORCE coined the term in 2000 in response to a challenge by a FORCE member who posted, "I need a label!" 

Prior to our coining the term, the medical community referred to previvors as "unaffected carriers," a designation many people found dismissive. The term previvor unites a community of important stakeholders to advocate for more research, resources and policy protections.