I have to say, the crowd was one of the most receptive I’ve ever addressed. The genetic counselors were passionate about their patients and eager to learn how they might further help those with a high risk for cancer. For instance, one of my points was that previvors want their genetic counselors to follow up with them. Afterwards, many who heard my speech told me they were planning on calling or emailing each of their patients when they returned back home.

I also emphasized how important it is that genetic counselors focus on the psychological and emotional issues that previvors face, not just the medical statistics. Again, many counselors told me that they would try to include more of those kind of discussions in future sessions.

Of course, some counselors explained that those in their field tend to be overworked. Many said it’s difficult to find the time to offer this extra support, this extra hand-holding that previvors say they need. However, they added that they would try. They all wanted to continue the dialogue so that they can continue to find ways to improve their practices.

What also impressed me was the number of students attending the conference. Each one was enthusiastic about his or her future as a genetic counselor In turn, the future of this field seems very promising.

Lastly, I was touched by how many counselors have been recommending my book, Previvors, to their patients. One counselor’s copy was tattered, dog-eared, and flagged with multi-colored labels. As an author, I couldn’t ask for a greater compliment.

Thank you to the National Society of Genetic Counselors for so warmly inviting me to your conference. Thank you to the hundreds of counselors I met for your passion and kindness. I know that with the great strides and advances we’re continually making in genetics, we’re all going to depend on the expertise and guidance of genetic counselors more and more.

And after attending the NSGC conference and meeting so many of these counselors, I’m happy to report that we’re in very good hands!

Ever since my book, Previvors, came out last year I’ve been speaking nationwide to women and men about their cancer risk. I usually address risk factors, red flags, and all the statistics related to BRCA mutations, surveillance options, and the latest in prophylactic surgeries. But the genetic counselors already know all of this. In fact, many of them helped me decipher this critical information when I was first writing my book.

That’s why I’m shifting gears.

Because while my book includes the medical facts and information that previvors need to know, it also includes the stories of Lisa, Mayde, Amy, Rori, and Suzanne. And these anecdotes, these real-life experiences really convey to previvors—as well as their genetic counselors and doctors—all of the medical, emotional, and psychological issues that a person with a high risk for cancer might face.

So, this Friday I’ll be sharing the perspective of the patients based on my interviews with these five women and through speaking with countless previvors at other speaking engagements and conferences throughout the country. I’ll explain what it is, exactly, that previvors say they need from their genetic counselors.

For the record, I am a huge proponent of genetic counseling, as are many other advocates for previvors. For instance, Sue Friedman, founder and director of FORCE, said in my book, “Genetics is a complicated, constantly evolving field, and it can be very difficult for a person to get a clear understanding of their risk unless they have input from a specialist in that area.” In other words, a board-certified genetic expert can provide previvors with accurate up-to-date information about their risk, help them with the psycholgocial repercussions of knowing it, and explain all options so they can make informed decisions regarding what to do about it. The danger of making such decisions in “a vacuum,” as Friedman puts it, is that women may make potentially life-altering choices based on false information or data they don’t completely understand.

It’s clear that previvors need genetic counselors. And through my speech to these counselors on Friday, I hope to help them make the most of their vital relationship with their patients.

As I sat up on stage listening to the five women tell their stories…stories which I have been listening to and writing about for more than two years…I was struck by how moved I was. I realized that I could hear their stories hundreds of times, and I’ll never stop welling up when they talk about their mothers’ battles with cancer. I’ll never stop being amazed by these five women’s bravery. I’ll never stop being inspired by their passion to help other women living with a high risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer. And I will always be thankful that Lisa, Mayde, Amy, Rori, and Suzanne gave me the tremendous honor of writing about their personal experiences in our book Previvors. I am very grateful that these five women are in my life.

Joy Goldman and Kim Greenbaum started the Power of Pink and their message is the same one I try to get across in the book:  Yes, breast cancer is scary and horrific, but when women become educated about their risk and options, they can then fight the disease before it even strikes. We can learn our risk factors and determine our odds of getting breast cancer. Then we can take advantage of the incredible screening and prevention options that weren’t even available a few decades ago. We are truly lucky to have so many means to defy our fate.

I’ll be posting video and pictures from the event, so stay tuned. And for more information about the Power of Pink, check out www.thepowerofpinkfl.com.