Sue Friedman, DVM

Sue Friedman, DVM, was a practicing small-animal veterinarian when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 33, and afterwards learned she carried a BRCA2 mutation. After her diagnosis, Sue recognized gaps in information and resources for people making medical decisions around hereditary breast, ovarian and related cancers. She was determined that no one else should face hereditary cancer alone. After finishing treatment, she founded Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, known commonly as FORCE, in 1999 to fill the information void for people facing adult hereditary cancer and help them advocate for themselves. In 2006 she lost her father to metastatic hereditary prostate cancer.

As founder and executive director of FORCE, Sue has 21 years of experience assessing and addressing the unique needs of individuals and families affected by inherited mutations associated with hereditary cancers. The nonprofit developed and implemented education, research, and advocacy efforts under her direction. FORCE serves a diverse population across the hereditary cancer care continuum, including the newly diagnosed, people living with cancer, previvors, caregivers, and relatives.