Karmanos Cancer Center’s Genetic Counseling Service
reveals hereditary cancer risks
When Shamika Long, 36, of Detroit, mutations too and may develop Senior Genetic Counselor
Taking life day by day
received a breast cancer diagnosis in certain types of cancers as well. Petrucelli said that it is
Karmanos patient Long said she’s
July of 2008, she was devastated.
“It brought more worry, but these
always the individual’s
thankful she received the genetic
“When I heard the diagnosis, I cried all were things I needed to know,”
choice to get tested after
testing and is aware of her higher risk
day,” she said. “I was told that cancer Long said.
a consultation session with
for ovarian cancer. She was scheduled
wasn’t painful. My tumor was painful.
her or her fellow counselors.
Petrucelli said that five to 10 percent
to have a hysterectomy in September.
I was looking for a good diagnosis.”
of cancers have hereditary links.
“Our job is not to tell
Long said that all the signs existed that
Though blacks aren’t identified as
them to get genetic testing,”
she may have had a hereditary link to
“When I heard the diagnosis, I cried
a racial group more susceptible to
she said. “It’s to give them
breast cancer, considering the incidence
all day” — Shamika Long hereditary cancers, metro Detroit
a better understanding of
of breast cancer on her father’s side.
cancer statistics show a higher
what’s going on in their
She says her grandmother, aunt and
Long was referred to the Barbara Ann incidence of breast, colorectal,
family history and provide
great-aunt all had breast cancer.
Karmanos Cancer Center and underwent lung and prostate cancer among
them with the information
six rounds of chemotherapy, a double the black population as compared
they need to make an
Long added she is considered cancer-
mastectomy, the removal of 16 lymph to national statistics studying
informed choice about
free today. She still copes with fatigue
nodes, and radiation treatments. blacks with these four cancers.
Shamika Long, left, of Detroit, talks with Senior Genetic Counselor testing. We can use their
daily and the removal of her lymph
Nancie Petrucelli at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit.
genetic status to personalize
nodes has caused lymphedema in her
Despite the harrowing experience,
Providing proactive hope
a cancer management and
left arm.
Long wanted to take additional proactive
family members who are not at high risk
for cancer patients
treatment path.”
Even so, Long said she has a support
measures in fighting her cancer and pre-
for cancer and who can rely on screening
venting any additional cancer diagnoses.
Karmanos is helping recommendations made for the general Counselors can make recommendations
system in place, including her mother,
She learned about the Cancer Genetic
all patients be proac- population.” for preventive measures that patients
Rosetta, father, Charlie, and her fiancé,
Counseling Service at Karmanos and went
tive about their health
Dr. Simon was instrumental in establishing
can take should they learn they have a
Mario.
in for genetic counseling in October 2008,
through the option
the Cancer Genetic Counseling Service at
hereditary risk for getting cancer. Staff
Petrucelli said she’s pleased that
a process that would help determine if
of receiving genetic
Karmanos in 1996. Dr. Simon, who is
also can refer them to one of Karmanos’
Karmanos’ Genetic Counseling Service
she had a hereditary form of cancer.
counseling and test-
trained as a medical oncologist and has
doctors.
has provided Long and her family the
ing. Dr. Michael
“I wanted to have the test because of my
been with the center since 1989, special-
Petrucelli said that genetic testing isn’t
benefit of knowing their familial risks
Michael Simon, M.D.
Simon, M.D., M.P.H.,
father’s (health) history” she said.
izes both in breast cancer and in cancer
appropriate for everyone since only
of cancer.
medical director of
genetics.
five to 10 percent of cancer cases are
“I felt so blessed to have given her that
Karmanos’ Cancer Genetic Counseling
the Cancer Genetic Counseling Service at
Service is offered at the center’s main
Karmanos, believes that services provided
“Establishing the service was really an
hereditary. Furthermore, it is costly –
information,” Petrucelli said. “We think
campus in Detroit, as well as Karmanos
by his team have far-reaching implications,
opportunity to expand the oncology
around $3,000. Many health insurance
of it as affecting not only Shamika, but
Cancer Center’s Farmington Hills location
not only for patients who come in with a
practice in a new direction,” he said.
programs will cover the costs though.
her family members too.”
and at the MidMichigan Medical Center in
diagnosis of cancer, but for their extended
“In this service, we offer counseling and
She said there are certain red flags
Midland and Crittenton Hospital Medical
families as well, whether members are
testing for individuals at risk for all types
people should consider if they think
"There's nothing I can't do."
Center in Rochester, through its affiliation
black, white or part of another racial or
of cancer.”
they may be at risk for hereditary cancer.
These include:
— Shamika Long
agreements with the two centers. Long
ethnic group.
met with Senior Genetic Counselor Nancie
"Establishing the service was really an
• Having several relatives with cancer.
“I have for many years felt that at a
Long says she takes each day as it comes.
Petrucelli at the Detroit location. Petrucelli
comprehensive cancer center, genetic
opportunity to expand the oncology • Having a personal or family history of
After her hysterectomy, she’ll be pursuing
first counseled her, establishing a family
counseling and testing is one of the
practice in a new direction. In this
a rare or unusual cancer, such as male
breast reconstruction surgery in October.
lineage and attempting to determine her
more valuable things that we do,” he service, we offer counseling and testing
breast cancer.
Though cancer treatment has been hard,
hereditary risks for additional cancer
said. “We focus on providing state-of-
diagnoses.
for individuals at risk for all types of
• Having a relative with more than one
she said she is a survivor and encourages
the-art medical care for our patients
type of cancer.
others to be proactive about their own
cancer.” — Michael Simon, M.D.
health.
After a simple blood test, Petrucelli found
with cancer, but we also need to
• Having a personal history of cancer
that Long had a mutation in her BRCA1
broaden our focus to the
under the age of 50.
“There’s nothing I can’t do,” she said.
gene – one of two identified genes that if
extended family. Among Hear cancer. Think Karmanos.
“Sometimes I can’t even believe I got
mutated puts a woman at higher risk for
families with a hereditary “I would ultimately say that
through the things I’ve gotten through.
breast cancer, as well as other cancers.
cancer syndrome, individuals anyone who is having con-
I think it’s important for everyone to
With a BRCA mutation, a woman’s
can be identified that are at cerns and/or anxiety about
know what’s going on with their health.”
lifetime risk of breast cancer is as high
high risk of cancer who will their cancer risks should
as 87 percent, compared to a population
benefit from intensive screen- consider the services of
lifetime risk of 12 percent, and her lifetime
ing and other prevention genetic counseling,” she
risk of ovarian cancer is as high as 44
efforts. At the same time, said. “However, in many
percent, compared to a population risk
through genetic counseling cases, testing may not be
of about 1 percent. Men can carry these
and testing, we can identify necessary.”
1-800-KARMANOS • karmanos.org
Too young for Cancer • September/October 2009 | 
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16