COVID-19

Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families facing hereditary cancer.

Stay up to date on research and information

Sign Up for FORCE Newsletters

COVID-19 

Hereditary cancer is stressful enough. COVID-19 adds another layer of uncertainty. FORCE has compiled this list of resources to help you live your life empowered. You are not alone. We will get through this together. On behalf of our staff at FORCE, we are thinking of you and your families and hoping for everyone to stay safe and be well.

Read the latest FORCE XRAY reviews on COVID-19 and Cancer.

FORCE has virtual support programs available to help you from the safety of your own home. You are not alone.

Concerns About Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Mutations

Dr. Allison Kurian, medical oncologist at Stanford University, and Dr. Matt Yurgelun, a G.I. oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, address concerns over COVID-19 vaccines for people with inherited mutations.

Be sure to discuss your medical concerns with your health care team.

Webinar on Yoga and Mindfulness

Ilana Beigel

Yoga and mindfulness for calm, connection and compassion during COVID-19

by yoga educator and life coach, Ilana Beigel, MA, CCC-SLP, RYT, associated with the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts.

Ilana Beigel shared tools to practice, cultivate and embody the qualities of calm, connection and compassion during this uncertain time. Learn how to incorporate simple techniques into your daily life to relieve stress, promote harmony and inspire transformation. She will share simple practices you can do while sitting in a chair. This webinar is 36 minutes.

Read Ilana Beigel’s Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, stop and take a breath blog and learn about online resources for yoga and meditation.

Webinar on COVID-19 and Insurance

Latest COVID-19 news about legal changes affecting your employment, insurance, finances, and more

Presented by Triage Cancer in partnership with FORCE. Free CEs available for nurses and social workers who attend.

This webinar provided up-to-the-minute information on May 14, 2020 about changes to health insurance and employment, including new options for paid sick leave, paid family leave, and unemployment benefits. We also covered recent changes and new rules that may impact an individual’s financial situation, including access to life insurance, cash assistance, student loans, mortgages, evictions, utilities, and more. State approaches to the electronic creation and execution of estate planning documents was also discussed.

COVID-19 and People with, or at High Risk for Gynecologic Cancer

Barbara Norquist

Information about the COVID-19 pandemic for people diagnosed with, or at high risk for, ovarian/endometrial cancer

by Barbara Norquist, MD, gynecologic oncologist affiliated with the University of Washington and FORCE’s scientific advisory board member.

She answered questions and concerns of people who have been diagnosed with, or those at high risk for, ovarian or endometrial cancers, including concerns about canceled doctor appointments, screenings and treatment and how healthcare professionals are responding to this changing situation in order to protect patients. 

COVID-19 and People with, or at High Risk for GI Cancers 

Matt Yurgelun

Information about the COVID-19 pandemic for people with, or at high risk for, gastrointestinal/colorectal cancer

by Matt Yurgelun, MD, gastrointestinal medical oncologist and Director of the Lynch Syndrome Center from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute affiliated with both the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center and the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program. He is, also, a FORCE scientific advisory board member.

Dr. Yurgelun answered questions and concerns of people who have been diagnosed with, or those at high risk for, gastrointestinal cancers, including concerns about canceled doctor appointments, screenings and treatment and how healthcare professionals are responding to this changing situation in order to protect patients.

COVID-19: What People with Cancer Need to Know

Merry Jennifer Markham

FORCE has partnered with UF Health Cancer Center and the North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative for this webinar.

COVID-19: What People with Cancer Need to Know

by Merry Jennifer Markham, MD, FACP, gynecologic-oncologist from University of Florida Health

Dr. Markham discussed how patients can navigate their cancer care during the COVID19 pandemic. This presentation is appropriate for patients and providers. Up to 1 unit of CE will be offered by Suwannee River Area Health Education Center, Inc.

Read Dr. Markham's blog, Coronavirus and COVID-19: What People With Cancer Need to Know, which is reviewed and updated daily.

How COVID-19 Affects Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Surgery

Deanna Attai

How the COVID-19 pandemic affects breast cancer diagnosis and surgery

by Deanna Attai, MD, breast surgeon from UCLA and FORCE’s scientific advisory board member.

A Second Helping of Stress

Karen Hurly

A second helping of stress:
Coping with hereditary cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

by Karen Hurley, PhD, psychologist from Cleveland Clinic and FORCE’s scientific advisory board member.

Dr. Hurley presented on how to feel more empowered when stresses, both rare and worldwide, combine.

Your health and safety are important to us. Stay educated about COVID-19 with the latest updates on how to protect yourself and your family by visiting the following websites:

*Remember to please consult with your doctors regarding your medical questions. FORCE does not provide medical or personal advice. If you have additional questions, please reach out to Sandy Cohen at sandrac@facingourrisk.org.

Please check back often for additional resources and updates.   

Let’s unite our community and help each other!


FORCE’s COVID-19 activities have been made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.

AstraZeneca
Genentech
Myriad
Abbvie