Today is National Previvor Day. This day is so important for the millions of men and women out there who are previvors: People who have no had cancer but have a high risk for developing it. And many of those previvors will be celebrating the long-overdue increased awareness that this day brings to their population.

But having a designated “previvor” day isn’t enough. The majority of the people in this country have no idea that today is National Previvor Day. They have never heard of FORCE or Bright Pink. They don’t even know the first thing about breast cancer risk.

We still have a lot of work to do.

I don’t like sounding like a broken record, but this message is certainly worth repeating: We MUST start a national dialogue about risk. We are so lucky to live in a time when people with a high risk for cancer can take steps to fight the disease before it even strikes. We can learn our risk and protect ourselves. We can turn our fear of cancer into empowerment.

We can radically change the way we even view cancer. In my book, Previvors, Angela Trepanier, the past president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors says that future generations “won’t have witnessed multiple family members suffering or dying from cancer. They’ll see this as a disease they have control over.”

Sue Friedman, founder of FORCE, said, “Research for a cancer cure is critical, but where we have the great potential to save lives with the technology and information we have right now is the area of risk assessment and risk management.”

In other words, we can take control, but it’s a matter of educating the masses. I ask everyone reading this post to please share it with your loved ones and friends (Facebook and otherwise). Help spread the word about previvors. Just think, if we all just tell a few people about their cancer risk, we can help thousands upon thousands who might be susceptible.

I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate.

Happy Previvor Day! Please make it count!