Fridays for FORCE: Book release!

Every week, a book is released that really helps the public. Not so often, a book is released that helps a segment of the public that has too few well-researched and apropos to their own experiences. One such book is being released this February 9th, 2012. Co-authored by Sue Friedman, DVM and Executive Director of FORCE and Rebecca Sutphen, MD and Kathy Steligo, this book delves into hereditary cancer and being to identify and understand your individual risk.

Cover of the New Book

Confronting Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Identify Your Risk, Understand Your Options, Change Your Destiny

By Sue Friedman, D.V.M., Rebecca Sutphen, M.D., and Kathy Steligo

If you are concerned that the cancer in your family is hereditary, you face difficult choices. 

• Should you have a blood test that may reveal whether you have a high likelihood of disease? 
• Do you preemptively treat a disease that may never develop? 
• How do you make decisions now that will affect the rest of your life? 

Confronting hereditary cancer is a complex, confusing, and highly individual journey.  With its unique combination of the latest research and expert advice about genetic counseling and testing, preventative surgery, fertility and family planning, and health insurance coverage information, as well as compelling personal stories, this book gives previvors, survivors, and their family members the guidance they need to face the unique challenges of hereditary cancer.

Sue Friedman

I am looking forward to reading this book and seeing where to go next in my journey of being BRCA2 positive. So far, I got past high surveillance, moved into an Oopherectomy (removal of ovaries) and graduated to a Prophylactic Bilateral Mastectomy (PBM). With each step, I reduced my risk of more than 90% to less than 2% for ovarian cancer and less than 4% for breast cancer. I need to adjust to my new life everyday. Having had the PBM, I found out I had DCIS stage 0 and removing my breasts was the thing I would have done anyway with that diagnosis. Cancer-free is where I stand today and "Confronting Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer" will take me beyond that level.

I just pre-ordered the digital version for my Nook. It is available to pre-order as a hardback for $29.66 on bn.com or the Nookbook at $9.99. Go to http://goo.gl/A0Eaf.

I know this book will be informational and empowering to all of us who are part of the BRCA Community. As always, you can find more information, support and unconditional friendship at www.facingourrisk.org. There is also a Facebook page for FORCE , https://www.facebook.com/facingourrisk, visit and click LIKE when you are on the Internet.

Love and hugs,
Beth