health

continued from page 38

Discover

Award-Winning Care

St. Joe’s is a nationally award-winning health

care provider, offering excellence in the

areas of Cardiovascular, Orthopedic, Cancer,

Women’s Health, and Pulmonary care.

We take great pride in earning the trust of

the community and in being the health care

provider of choice for North Oakland County

residents and their families.

For a referral to a St. Joe’s physician or
more information, visit stjoesoakland.org
or call 800-372-6094.

40

July 26 • 2018

jn

Having mutations in the BRCA1
or BRCA2 genes increases a woman’s
likelihood of being diagnosed with
breast cancer. For example, BRCA1
and BRCA2 mutations increase a
woman’s lifetime risk of being diag-
nosed with the disease by 45-85 per-
cent. The general population’s risk of
breast cancer is around 12 percent
( for those without mutations).
For a woman, it also increases her
chances of developing ovarian cancer.
BRCA1 gene mutation increases her
lifetime risk up to 40 percent while
BRCA2 gene mutation increases her
lifetime risk up to 27 percent.
For a man, BRCA1 and BRCA2
mutations also increase his likelihood
of being diagnosed with prostate
cancer. A lifetime risk of prostate
cancer for men with a BRCA1 muta-
tion is approximately 16 percent while
those with a BRCA2 mutation have an
approximately 20 percent chance of
being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The risk of prostate cancer is about 6
percent for those without mutations.
Both men and women with BRCA2
mutations are also more susceptible
to pancreatic cancer and melanoma.
“My oncologist Philip A. Philip, M.D.
Ph.D., at Karmanos was the impetus
in having this testing done,” Howard
said. “He was asking very early on if I
was Ashkenazi Jewish. He had talked
to me about this years ago. When I did
the blood draw for the test, the cost of
the lab testing was prohibitive.”
Genetic counselor Hagen, however,
worked to identify labs that would
accept Howard’s health insurance.
“Karmanos’ genetic counseling ser-
vices can provide support with insur-
ance,” she said. “We work with labs
that are reputable and will work with
a patient’s insurance.”
If a patient tests positive for a gene
mutation, “insurance will likely cover
the increased screenings, but there are
deductibles and co-insurance costs,”
Hagen added.
She mentions that people who
would like to receive genetic testing
and counseling typically pay no more
than $100 for the testing. They can be
referred to Karmanos by a health care
provider or can self-refer.
Those who may consider being
tested include those with Ashkenazi
Jewish lineage; if an individual has
many relatives with cancer; if the can-
cers are rare or if they occurred before
a person turned 50.
Testing usually entails a genetic
counselor gathering a client’s personal
and family health history. They then
take this information and create a map
of relatives and note what cancers they

Sarah and
Howard Katz

TIMOTHY J. HAUNERT

have been diagnosed with, if any.
The actual testing requires a blood
draw or a saliva sample. Hagen said
that counseling occurs before and
after the testing is done.
“Our goal is to help the patient
understand what the testing is about
and what it means for them,” she said.
“We discuss specific risks of being
diagnosed with certain cancers and
how to manage those risks.”
She also explains what a positive
test result might mean for an indi-
vidual’s relatives.
“We really do encourage people to
share the results with as many family
members as possible,” she said. “The
testing can be life-saving.”
Presently, Howard Katz is doing
well. Though he does not describe
himself as “cancer-free,” there is no
presence of pancreatic tumors in his
body and he has discontinued che-
motherapy. His residual side effects
include permanent neuropathy and
persistent fatigue, however.
He is a strong advocate for genetic
testing and counseling, no matter
what the test results might be.
“That’s a heavy burden ( for my
daughter) to bear, knowing that she
has a 40 to 60 percent higher chance
of getting breast cancer and a greater
chance of getting ovarian cancer,” he
said. “I went through some stages of
guilt, but I know it’s irrational. This is
genetic.
“Knowledge gives you the opportu-
nity to be monitored. In talking with
my daughters, I told them, you’re no
different the day after you got tested
than you were the day before. You’re
simply able to monitor your health.
The key is early detection and knowl-
edge is your greatest tool.” •

For additional information, contact
Karmanos at (800) 527-6266.

Elizabeth Katz is a Metro Detroit freelance
writer. She has no relation to Howard, Sarah
or Emily Katz.