• faces

3-0

All In The Jeans

Denim-inspired fashion show raises

awareness about BRCA cancer gene.

BY ROBIN SCHWARTZ I PHOTOS BY ANGIE BAAN

From slinky and tight
to trendy and distressed,
the latest denim fashions
from Rear Ends in West
Bloomfield were on display
during an "all-jeans" fashion
show May 26 at the Jewish
Community Center in West
Bloomfield. About 100
people attended the event,
which also helped raise
awareness about "genes." In
the general population, 1 in
400 people carry the BRCA
genetic mutations that mean
they have an increased risk
of developing breast, ovar-
ian, prostate or pancreatic
cancer. In the Ashkenazi
Jewish population, 1 in 40
people carry the same muta-
tions. "We really need to
make sure the community is
aware and people are proac-
tive," said Patti Nemer of
West Bloomfield, one of
the founders of the Cancer
Thrivers Network for Jewish
Women. The group put
on the event along with
FORCE (Facing Our Risk
of Cancer Empowered).
"There are things people
can do to minimize the risk
of being diagnosed with
cancer as a result of carry-
ing the mutations," Nemer
continued. Most of the
male and female models
who took part in the fash-
ion show carry the BRCA
genes (including a father
and daughter duo). Their
personal stories were shared
during the event. Genetic
counselors from area hos-
pitals also were on hand to
answer questions. "These
men and women are strong,
brave and remarkable,"
Nemer said. "It's better to
know [if you have the genes]
than not to know."

Sandy Schwartz of Franklin and Patti Nemer of

West Bloomfield

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