Focus On Women

Forum casts a drumbeat on keeping in good health.

Ruthan Brodsky

Contributing Writer

emphasized the importance for
women to make time to be proactive
about their health. Event moderator
conversation grew louder
Kate Cahill, major gifts consultant of
the Providence Foundation, described
as more women entered
each presenter's medical specialty
and education.
Temple Israel for a discussion
In unison, there was an exclama-
tion of surprise when first presenter
of issues in women's health.
Alvin Schoenberger, M.D., OB-GYN,
began his presentation by reveal-
Hosted by the Chaldean/Jewish
ing that when tested for BRCA1 and
Building Community Initiative and
BRCA2 genetic abnormalities, one
Providence Park Hospital, the Nov.
woman out of 300-500 of the gen-
1 event included touring the West
eral population tested positive for
Bloomfield-based host synagogue,
these breast cancer-associated genes.
a continental breakfast, collecting
However, for the Ashkenazi Jewish
information from the Novi-based
population, one woman out of 40
hospital's resource booths, a blood
tested positive.
pressure screening and plenty of
For the next 90 minutes, the
advice on staying healthy.
attendees were intensely focused
The Chaldean American Ladies
on the presentatjons Df the three
of Charity took orders for its popu-
Providence ParHospital physicians.
lar cookbook, Ma Baseema: Middle
"Approximately 7 percent of breast
Eastern Cooking with Chaldean Flair,
cancer and 11-15 percent of ovar-
which was used as part of the kosher
ian cancer cases are caused by the
cooking presentation by the Bingham BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations:'
Farms-based Matt Prentice Group
Schoenberger said. "The trend has
at the Jewish Book Fair at the Jewish
been for an increasing number of
Community Center of Metropolitan
people who want to learn whether or
Detroit in November.
not they have an abnormality in these
Mich Grossman of Farmington
genes:'
Hills praised the Building
BRCA testing involves minimal
Community Initiative amid the wom- medical risk, but the test result can
en's health forum. "It is
affect a person's emotions, social
amazing how many like
relationships and finances,
interests the women in
he said. Only a blood sample
the Chaldean and Jewish
is needed for these tests and
communities share
genetic counseling is recom-
she said. "We all want
mended before and after.
to make our bodies last
The results of the BRAC
longer and reaching out
Analysis Test promote a patient-
to each other eliminates
specific medical management
any feelings of isolation:' Rabbi Marla
plan to reduce the risk of cancer
Homsten
One of the high-
because it increases surveillance
lights of the morning
and other interventions that
for the women touring
improve care and the clinical
the synagogue was joining Rabbi
efficiency of that care.
Marla Hornsten in Temple Israel's
Schoenberger explained that in the
main sanctuary on the bimah as she
United States, the company Myriad
opened one of the sacred Torahs con- Genetics performs all commercial
taining the Five Books of Moses.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing. The cost
of the BRCA test ranges from about
$300 to $3,500 depending on whether
Welcoming the 60 women was Jean
you get the limited test, in which only
Meyer, MSN, R.N., and president
a few areas of the gene are evaluated,
of Providence Park Hospital. She
or the full test. He advises finding out

The volume of animated

14 CHALDEAN NEWS I JEWISH NEWS

December 2011

if your insurance plan
covers genetic testing
before you do anything.
"Keep in mind that
even if someone in your
family is tested positive
for a BRCA mutation,
Providence Foundation consultant Kate Cahill
moderates panelists from Providence Park Hospital:
not every person in
your family will inherit Alvin Schoenberger, M.D., Paul Hakim, M.D., Deborah
Hollander, M.D., and Registered Dietitian Susanne
it:' Schoenberger said.
Gunsorek.
"For women with
mothers and sisters
who carry one of the
an occasional period and are in the
BRCA mutations, but are not carriers, peri-menopause phase. Once you've
the risk of developing cancer is not
reached 12 consecutive months
significantly increased."
without a menstrual period, you have
officially passed through menopause
Speaker Panes
and you don't have to worry about
Drs. Schoenberger, Paul Hakim and
getting pregnant:'
Deborah Hollander and Registered
Which brought Hakim to the next
Dietitian Susanne Gunsorek are
myth — women stop intimacy fol-
all associated with Providence
lowing menopause. "Some of my
Park Hospital, a new sponsor for
patients tell me it is better and more
this health event organized by the
fulfilling because they no longer
Building Community Initiative.
worry about getting pregnant," he
West Bloomfield resident Jeannie
said. "Some women also have more
Weiner was co-chair of the 2011
self-confidence and a better mental
event with Commerce resident Clair
outlook later in life. Before you blame
Konja, who is in charge of operations it on menopause, ask your doctor
for the Chaldean American Ladies of
if your lack of interest is due to any
Charity.
chronic illness or medication:'
"We put together events like this
He added, "Menopause does not
because too many of us take our
have to be the time you slow down.
health for granted:' Konja said. "We
Women are living healthier, more
can learn from doctors how to best
active lives than before and often
use our time and take care of our-
use this time to further develop their
selves."
careers, travel, volunteer and spend
more time with family. Women who
Debunking Myths
take care of their bodies and minds
The presentation of myths about
can continue to enjoy life long after
menopause by Paul Hakim, M.D.,
menopause:'
OB-GYN, was informative and
sounded familiar. For instance, when
Corralling Stress
he said most women believe weight
Stress, change and resilience were
gain is part of what happens in
some of the topics addressed by
menopause, many women nodded in Deborah Hollander, M.D., psychiatry.
agreement.
"Women are acquainted with
"That is a myth!" he said. "If you
change at an early age when they
watch your diet and follow a good
start to menstruate monthly and
exercise routine, you can prevent
then go through menopause
weight gain during your middle
Hollander said. "However, not every-
years:'
one responds to these changes the
'Another myth I deal with is that
same way.
you can still get pregnant after meno-
Hollander explained that stress is
pause he said. "You can become
unavoidable and part of our body
pregnant during the transition to
makeup. "Stress is also something we
menopause, when you're still having
encounter, but again not everyone