What is a previvor? A previvor is a person who has not had cancer but has a predisposition to develop it. In other words, a previvor is a person who has not had cancer but has higher than average odds of getting it because of certain risk factors. Previvors face difficult decisions regarding how to fight their risk, if at all. These men and women often take proactive steps and turn their fear into empowerment.

The term “previvors” was coined by Sue Friedman, founder of FORCE, an incredible resource for women facing a high risk for breast or ovarian cancer. Through FORCE (which stands for Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), Sue has effectively started the dialogue about women and their risk for cancer. And over the last decade, FORCE has helped a countless number of women, including the five featured in my book.

The annual FORCE conference is coming up. It’s taking place in Orlando from June 24-June 26. I hope to see you there! Check out FORCE’s website to register for the event or to learn more about the issues women with an elevated risk for breast or ovarian cancer—in other words, previvors—often have to deal with. (www.facingourrisk.org)