National Previvor Day!

Written by Cofounder, Sheila Adams Gardner

A PREVIVOR is someone who has a higher risk of developing cancer, but does not have the disease. My sisters Patricia, Jacinta and I consider this identity one that EMPOWERS us to fight cancer with every tool available.—To change our family history of cancer to a story of triumph. This year marks the first Previvor Day after completing our major prophylactic surgeries in 2023. We have learned a lot. Most importantly, we’ve learned that the fight against cancer never ends. This year, we focused on informing family members of our gene mutation, RAD 51 D so that they too can learn their risks for cancer and arm themselves. We learned that we inherited the gene mutation from our father and that some of our children are also previvors. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Although no one wants to have an increased risk of cancer, knowing about the elevated risk gives us a “VIP Card” to get the necessary healthcare to STRIKE cancer FIRST through regular screening to detect cancer at a treatable stage; prophylactic surgery to eliminate cancer risks; in vitro fertilization to ensure descendants are born free of the gene mutation, and so many more tools we have yet to discover. Being a previvor does NOT mean we will develop cancer. In fact, 90% of all cancers are NOT inherited. Being a previvor is an opportunity to take action and BEAT CANCER.

National Previvor Day is part of National Hereditary Cancer Week, (September 29 – October 5), which honors everyone with an increased risk of cancer because of their family history or an inherited gene mutation linked to cancer.  This week, join us as we honor all Survivors, Previvors, Caregivers and family members in our community of FIGHTERS and THRIVERS.