students about the often vague
and hard-to-diagnose symptoms
of ovarian cancer through the
alliance's "Survivors Teaching
Students: Saving Women's Lives"
program. MIOCA also advocates
in Lansing and Washington, D.C.,
for greater awareness, better access
to care and increased research
efforts.
"This work helps me immensely
because it's fulfilling and empower-
ing to fight the disease on a larger
scale as well as just on a personal
lever Paul said. "Plus, I see it as
an extension of being a proactive,
knowledgeable patient. I readily
admit, though, that it's one of the
most self-serving things I've done
because my life depends on it"
Today, Paul is considered can-
cer-free. She credits Robert Morris,
M.D., leader of the Gynecologic
Oncology Multidisciplinary Team
at Karmanos Cancer Center, and
the entire medical staff at both
Karmanos' Weisberg Cancer
Treatment Center in Farmington
Hills and at the midtown Detroit
location for what she calls a "sur-
prisingly stress-free" treatment
experience.
"Dr. Morris is just a really spe-
cial person," she said. "I really feel
he treats the whole person. I'm
so very happy with my treatment
across the board. You just don't
expect cancer treatment to be so
stress-free, and that's due to the
wonderful staff at Karmanos."
Paul said she realizes that
though she is cancer-free today
that could change in the future,
considering that 75 percent of
women who survive ovarian can-
cer will relapse.
In addition to her work with
MIOCA and as a research advocate,
Paul is involved with Jewish Family
Service's Cancer Connection, the
Jewish Community Center's Cancer
Thrivers Network for Jewish
Women and Karmanos' Women's
Support Group at the Weisberg
location.
She encourages survivors and
those newly diagnosed with the
disease.
"You're not just a statistic and
there's always hope," she says. "For
the general public, I advise women
to know their bodies, pay attention
to their symptoms and be proac-
tive about their health care. Don't
forget to take care of yourself:' ❑

Elizabeth A. Katz is the external

marketing and communications

manager at the Detroit-based Barbara

Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

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