Support Group Resources
Color Support avatar
Written by Color Support
Updated over a week ago

Hereditary Cancer Risk Resources

Hereditary Cancer Risk

FORCE: Committed to providing resources and support to individuals with hereditary cancer risk.

Kintalk: An educational and family communication site for individuals and their families with hereditary cancer conditions.

- Visit: www.kintalk.org

Breast Cancer

Bright Pink: Focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, while providing support for high-risk individuals.

His Breast Cancer: Here to inform, to educate, bring awareness, and to teach prevention regarding breast cancer in men.

Susan G. Komen: Dedicated to ensuring quality care for individuals with breast cancer by educating, supporting research, offering grants and advocating for better breast cancer policy.

Young Survival Coalition: Dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ovarian Cancer

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition: Committed to raising awareness of ovarian cancer in communities across the country and to providing education, support and hope for women with ovarian cancer and for their families.
    - Visit: www.ovarian.org

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA): OCRA is the leading organization in the world fighting ovarian cancer on all fronts while supporting patients and their families.

Colorectal Cancer

Colon Cancer Alliance: An organization dedicated to colon cancer prevention, funding colon cancer research and providing support to patients.

Colonoscopy Assist: An affordable colon cancer screening program for people who are uninsured.

Fight Colorectal Cancer: Fight CRC serves as a resource for patients, grassroots advocates, policy makers, medical professionals and health care providers.

Prostate Cancer

ZERO, The End of Prostate Cancer: A national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted. ZERO advances research, provides support, and creates solutions to achieve health equity to meet the most critical needs of our community.

 

Melanoma

American Melanoma Foundation: An organization supporting melanoma research, and providing advocacy and public awareness of melanoma
    - Visit: www.melanomafoundation.org

 

Pancreatic Cancer

National Pancreas Foundation: An organization committed to funding pancreatic cancer research, and providing support and education about pancreatic cancer.
    - Visit: www.pancreasfoundation.org

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): An organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer and supporting patients and clinicians through research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy.
    - Visit: https://www.pancan.org/

The Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium: An international, multi-institutional collaborative group of experts with the aim of improving early detection, screening, and prevention for those with a heritable risk for pancreatic cancer. To enroll or find a center to obtain screenings near you:

Lustgarten Foundation: A pancreatic cancer research organization focused on improving patient outcomes through research studies and empowering patients to navigate pancreatic cancer treatment with resources and relevant information.
    - Visit: https://www.lustgarten.org/

 

Hereditary Cancer Gene Specific Resources

Lynch Syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2)

AliveAndKickn: An advocacy organization that helps individuals navigate information, research trials and support groups related to Lynch Syndrome

CAPP3:  The primary focus of the Cancer Prevention Project 3 (CAPP3) is to find the right dosage of Aspirin for people with Lynch syndrome. Learn more about the benefits of aspirin for those with Lynch Syndrome at CAPP3.
    - Visit: http://www.capp3.org

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (BRCA1/2)
Sharsheret: Sharsheret is a national not-for-profit organization supporting young Jewish women with BRCA mutations.
    - Visit: www.sharsheret.org

Hereditary Gastric Cancer (CDH1)

 No Stomach For Cancer: Supporting research and uniting the caring power of people worldwide affected by stomach cancer and Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer caused by CDH1 mutations.
    - Visit: www.nostomachforcancer.org

PTEN Hamartoma Syndromes (PTEN)

PTEN Foundation: Founded with a mission to educate about PTEN syndromes, provide financial support to patients, support research, and to promote awareness.
    - Visit: www.ptenfoundation.org

Li- Fraumeni Syndrome (TP53)

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) Association: Provides a wide range of information, advocacy, and support services for individuals and families with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome caused by TP53 mutations.
    - Visit: www.lfsassociation.org

BAP1

Mesothelioma Guide: An advocacy organization dedicated to helping patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or with BAP1 mutations.
    - Visit: https://www.mesotheliomaguide.com/prognosis/

Hereditary Heart Health Resources

Cardiomyopathy

American Heart Association: Focused on building lives free of heart disease by providing accessible education and funding innovative research.
    - Visit: http://www.heart.org/

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association: Provides support, education, and advocacy as well as advancing research, understanding and care to those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
    - Visit: http://www.4hcm.org/

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)

The Family Heart Foundation: The mission of the Family Heart Foundation is to save generations of families from heart disease through timely identification and improved care of familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated lipoprotein(a). Through research, advocacy, and education we play a critical role in driving change and empowering families to navigate their own health.
- Visit: www.thefhfoundation.org

Arteriopathies

Marfan Foundation: Provides information and support to healthcare providers, caregivers, and families affected by Marfan syndrome and related disorders, including FTAAD and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
    - Visit: http://www.marfan.org

The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health: Dedicated to improving the medical management and identification of individuals at risk for arterial dissections and the treatment of thoracic aortic disease through medical research.
    - Visit:  http://johnritterfoundation.org/

Vascular Zebras Facebook support group: A community of individuals with vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome who provide support, stories and comfort.
    - Visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Vascular.Zebras/

Vascular EDS Emergency Passports: Collagen Diagnostics offers a free emergency room passport for individuals with disease-causing mutations in COL3A1. This passport can assist physicians and families in an emergency situation by providing life-saving information for diagnosis and treatment.
    - For passport please email Dru Leistritz-Kessler: dru2@u.washington.edu

Arrhythmias

Heart Rhythm Society: Provides information sheets on types of arrhythmias and associated treatments, risk factors, signs and symptoms.
    - Visit: https://upbeat.org/

Sudden Arrhythmia Death syndromes (SADS): Advocates for nondiscriminatory treatment for people who are diagnosed with a SADS disorder. SADS is committed to supporting efforts that will improve the quality of life for patients with heart rhythm abnormalities.
    - Visit: https://www.sads.org/

Location Specific Resources

Canada
Find a genetic counsellor: Locate a genetics provider through the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors
    - Visit: https://www.cagc-accg.ca/?page=225  

Canadian Cancer Society: A national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society provides free support and information to anyone affected by breast cancer, or at high risk.
     - Visit: http://support.cbcf.org/get-information/hereditary-breast-ovarian-cancer-hboc/

Ovarian Cancer Canada: Dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer, supporting women living with the disease and their families, raising awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals and funding research to develop early detection techniques, improved treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
    - Visit: http://www.ovariancanada.org

Wellspring: A network of community-based support centres offering programs and services that meet the emotional, social, practical and restorative needs of people living with cancer and those who care for them. Wellspring programs are offered free of charge
    - Visit: https://wellspring.ca/

Genetic Aortic Disorders Association of Canada: Supports individuals living with genetic arteriopathies through awareness, education and research opportunities.
- Visit: http://www.gadacanada.ca/

Genetics Education Canada – Knowledge Organization (GEC-KO): Non-for Profit effort to enhance the genetics/genomics literacy of healthcare providers across Ontario by funding the Genetics Education Canada – Knowledge Organization (GEC-KO). GEC-KO is developing, collecting, disseminating and evaluating genetics/genomics educational resources for Canadian and international use.

My Gut Feeling - Stomach Cancer Foundation of Canada: To provide support, awareness, education, information and advocacy for stomach cancer patients, cancer survivors, caregivers and family members.

Australia / New Zealand
Find a Genetic Counselor: Locate a cancer genetics provider through the Centre for Genetics Education.
    - Visit: https://www.hgsa.org.au/Web/Web/HP-Resources/Clinical-genetics-services-by-state/Clinical-Genetic-Services.aspx?hkey=e11c39d6-37f4-4e68-8709-21eff5f6e006

Pink Hope: Australian support network for individuals at high risk for getting breast cancer.
    - Visit:  http://pinkhope.org.au/

Breast Cancer Network Australia: A national organisation for Australians personally affected by breast cancer. It works to ensure that Australians diagnosed with breast cancer and their families receive the best information, treatment, care and support possible.
    - Visit: https://www.bcna.org.au/

Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition New Zealand: Provides information, support and representation for those with breast cancer so they can make informed choices about their treatment and care.
    - Visit: https://www.breastcancer.org.nz

The Gift of Knowledge: New Zealand Charity organisation to learn more about BRCA mutation and connect with others.
    - Visit: http://www.giftofknowledge.co.nz

Ovarian Cancer Australia: A national not-for-profit organisation providing support and advocacy for people affected by ovarian cancer and awareness of ovarian cancer and prevention options.  
    - Visit: http://www.ovariancancer.net.au/

Lynch Syndrome Australia: Aims to empower Australians to investigate their risk, educate the medical profession, evolve campaigns to highlight this genetic condition and achieve equity in access, diagnosis, treatment and hope.
    - Visit: https://lynchsyndrome.org.au/

Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia: The national body for prostate cancer in Australia that funds research and other efforts to reduce the impact of prostate cancer on the community.
    - Visit:  http://www.prostate.org.au/

Pancreatic Cancer Alliance: A collaborative voice raising awareness of and providing support to those affected with pancreatic cancer in Australia.
    - Visit: http://www.pancreaticcanceralliance.org.au

Bowel Cancer Australia: An organisation dedicated to bowel cancer prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and care, and provides practical and emotional support for the growing number of Australians affected by bowel cancer.
    - Visit: https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/

Cancer Voices Australia: An advocacy organisation representing Australians affected by cancer that aims to ensure the voices of people, their carers and families affected by cancer are heard at a national level.
    - Visit: http://www.cancervoices.org.au/

 

Israel
Find a Genetic Counselor: Locate a genetic counselor through Israel’s Ministry of Health
     - English: https://www.health.gov.il/English/Topics/Genetics/checks/Pages/genetic_counseling_institute.aspx
    - Hebrew: https://www.health.gov.il/Subjects/Genetics/checks/Pages/genetic_counseling_institute.aspx 

One in 9: Works to raise public awareness about breast cancer and promote breast health in Israel, and offers special support groups.
    - Visit: https://www.onein9.org.il/

England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Find a Genetic Counselor: Locate a genetics provider in England, Ireland, Scotland, or Wales through the British Society for Genetic Medicine
    - Visit: https://bsgm.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/list-of-genetic-clinics/

Breast Cancer Care: Providing care, information and support to people affected by breast cancer.
    - Visit: breastcancercare.org.uk   

Cancer Support UK: Provides practical and emotional support to people living with cancer, both during and after the treatment period, around the UK.
    - Visit: https://www.cancersupportuk.org/

Arrhythmia Alliance: Working together to improve the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for all those affected by arrhythmias. This organization provides resources to help individuals and clinicians manage arrhythmias successfully. Based in the UK with international resources as well.
- Visit: http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk

 


Have more questions? Submit a request

Did this answer your question?