Josephine Roach is a dedicated advocate at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. You might say advocating is in her blood. She’s also a dedicated volunteer with Susan G. Komen® Michigan Race for the Cure.

Nine years ago, when she began working with the Komen organization, she had no connection to breast cancer. Still, the Oakland Township resident possessed a desire to make a difference. Little did she know the survivors she would be working beside would soon become her greatest cheerleaders as she underwent her breast cancer journey.

At the time, Roach received her annual mammogram like clockwork. In 2016, her screening indicated nothing abnormal; however, the very next year, her screening showed something very different.

In November 2017, life completely changed when Roach was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer: triple-positive invasive ductal carcinoma. In triple-positive breast cancer, tumor growth is fueled by estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2—a protein found in breast cells. Her cancer diagnosis was confirmed after she had a breast biopsy at a local Michigan-based hospital. That’s when she decided to advocate for her health the same way she'd advocate for others and visit the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit for a second opinion.

Under the care of her now-retired breast surgeon at Karmanos, Mary Ann Kosir, M.D., FACS; her medical oncologist Lawrence Flaherty, M.D.; and radiation oncologist Michael Dominello, D.O., she underwent a lumpectomy, received weekly chemotherapy for 12 weeks, followed by four weeks of radiation and five years of an oral hormone blocker.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, as mentioned by Dr. Flaherty. Most of the time, breast cancers are identified by mammograms without any symptoms. Cancer is most curable in its early stages, so Karmanos recommends an annual screening mammogram for all women of average risk beginning at age 40.

“Most of my approach is to try to provide people with the right information to understand the risks that cancer poses for them along with what therapies can favorably impact that risk,” he explained.

“Dr. Flaherty would always listen to my concerns and help me feel confident in his research behind each treatment plan we made,” Roach said.

Dr. Dominello’s approach is complementary. He said patients typically come with little to no knowledge of what radiation is or what it accomplishes. “The first step to helping patients understand is listening,” he noted.

“The one word I would use to describe her and her approach to her cancer journey was that she was consistently upbeat,” added Dr. Dominello when reflecting on Roach’s treatment.

Shortly after finishing her treatments, Roach continued to advocate for cancer awareness throughout local and state communities with medical physicians and patient advocates.

Roach currently serves as the chairman of the Susan G. Komen Michigan Leadership Council, where she continues to inspire and support others through volunteering, fundraising and her positive attitude. Her most recent accomplishment is publishing a book based on her cancer journey.

“Without scheduling my annual mammograms, I would not be here today.”

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, consulting with a specialist who’s dedicated their career to researching the disease is important. Learn more about getting a second opinion at Karmanos or call 1-800-KARMANOS to make an appointment with one of our world-renowned experts.

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At first glance, you might not think Michael Dudley is someone who ever faced a disease like cancer.

After all, he’s a former collegiate track athlete who competes in triathlons. He swims, bikes and runs regularly. He watches his diet closely, and he doesn’t drink or smoke.

Yet, Dudley has beaten cancer not once but twice. First, when he faced colon cancer in 2017, and in 2021 when he underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer at the Karmanos Cancer Center.

Dudley advised that the key to defeating the disease is being attentive to early warning signs, getting a second opinion and being aware of your family health history. He shared his story with the community on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, during the Tigers Radio broadcast moments before the third annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Night at Comerica Park when the Detroit Tigers took on the Kansas City Royals.

“Your health is your wealth,” says Dudley, 67, a Southfield resident who is a business consultant for the McDonald’s Corporation and an ordained minister. “Without health, you’re going to have a substandard quality of life. That’s why regular physicals and specialized health screenings like prostate exams and colonoscopies are so important.”

Along with that, be aware of your personal health risks. As an African American with a family history of cancer, Dudley knew he had an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

“My father died of cancer, and we lost two of his sisters and one of his brothers to the disease,” Dudley shared. “My mom is 89 and the eldest of nine siblings, and she’s outlived them all. Two of them died from cancer-related matters.”

So, when Dudley first noticed blood in his stool in 2017, it was a wake-up call.

“I saw my doctor, who scheduled a colonoscopy,” Dudley explained. “The evidence of cancer was very clear. Further testing showed I was at stage II. The diagnosis was a little surprising to me. I was preparing for a triathlon at the time and felt I was on top of my game. With the support of my wife, I became determined not to let cancer beat me. I competed in that triathlon that same week.”

Dudley had a colon resection to remove the disease surgically. He recovered quickly and resumed his active lifestyle.

Going to battle once more

Four years later, Dudley noticed he began urinating more often than usual.

“I thought it was because I had been working out a lot and drinking lots of fluids,” he said. “I wanted to check with my doctor to see if this issue might be connected with something else.”

Frequent urination is among the early signs of prostate cancer, but it could also indicate an enlarged prostate. Generally, the first step when screening for the disease is to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Blood is drawn and analyzed in a lab for antigens that can indicate the presence of cancer.

In Dudley’s case, his PSA levels were normal. But for extra peace of mind, he sought a second opinion with the cancer experts at Karmanos. He consulted with Isaac Powell, M.D., urologic oncologist, member of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team and the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at Karmanos, and professor of Oncology and Urology at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Dr. Powell performed a rectal exam, then ordered an MRI scan and a biopsy. Once again, the evidence was clear. Dudley had an early but very aggressive form of prostate cancer.

“My mindset after being diagnosed a second time was simply to overcome a new trial,” he recalled. “Of course, there were moments of fear and reflection. I went through a range of emotions. But I relied on my faith and family. I was going to battle through the naysayers, through my family history, through that second diagnosis. I was determined to rise above.”

Early detection leads to better outcomes

Dr. Powell believes Dudley’s quick and decisive action to get a second opinion despite his good PSA results was critical.

Michael Dudley and Dr. Powell

“Patients who suspect prostate cancer also need a rectal exam,” Dr. Powell explained. “Michael’s PSA numbers were normal, but given his personal and family history of cancer, it made sense to seek another opinion. He had an aggressive lesion which didn’t present much PSA.”

“We felt Michael’s cancer was confined to the prostate, and we know in the long run that patients who have had their prostate removed surgically have good outcomes. Michael opted for surgery.”

For decades, Dr. Powell has researched the health disparities between African American and Caucasian cancer patients. The data shows that African Americans—particularly those of West-African descent—are at 60–70% higher risk of prostate cancer than Caucasians. The prostate cancer death rate for African Americans is two to three times higher than for Caucasians.

“A genetic component contributes to this disparity,” said Dr. Powell. “We encourage White men to get their initial PSA exam at age 50. But for African Americans, I recommend age 40.”

According to Dr. Powell, many African Americans are reluctant to discuss cancer symptoms and treatment openly. So, he fosters open, trusting doctor-patient relationships to break down those barriers.

“I encourage patients to ask their doctors many questions,” he suggested. “Likewise, I encourage doctors to explain everything in clear, understandable terms. I also tell patients that when detected early, cancer is curable. I had prostate cancer 20-some years ago, and I’m still living and working and very happy with my life. People often associate a cancer diagnosis with death. But the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer patients with local, non-metastasized disease is 98%.”

Living his best life

After the removal of his prostate, Dudley was cancer-free again. He slowly resumed exercising, continued his healthy diet, and thrives today. He continues to see Dr. Powell for checkups every six months and his internists every few months for regular lab work.

“I’m better than good,” Dudley says. “I’ve got a great future ahead of me with a heavy dose of the good life.”

He adds that he shares his story with family, friends and community members to encourage men to schedule regular medical exams, and he’ll do so before an even larger audience on radio airwaves.

Dudley was interviewed on Tigers Radio moments before the third annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Night began. This game is a partnership between Karmanos, the Detroit Tigers and McLaren Health Care, the official healthcare system of the Tigers. His interview was heard on WXYT 97.1 FM in Detroit and on regional radio stations throughout Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.

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“I know there aren’t many African American men who want to go public with their cancer story. But I tell people the diagnosis didn’t define me—it redefined me,” expressed Dudley. “I’ll have an opportunity to share my story with lots of people, and if sharing can help save just one person’s life, it will be very worthwhile. Cancer is a diagnosis—not a death sentence. I’m living proof.”

The most important thing you can say to your friends and family members with a prostate is to schedule an appointment and talk to their primary care provider about the benefits and risks of a prostate cancer screening. For more information, visit karmanos.org/prostatefacts. You can also call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) to speak with a trusted oncology patient navigator who can help you determine which tests are right for you.

Sitting on the bleachers, cheering on her high school-aged daughter and supporting her family on the basketball court—this was Kim Harrison’s amazing life. She is a wife, a mother of six and a grandmother of 14. Harrison is committed to being at every event, big or small, cheering on her loved ones on or off the field. She had no idea that shortly after her daughter’s wedding in April 2013, her family would become her cheerleaders as she faced the curveball of her life—cancer.

Months after her daughter’s wedding, Harrison received a phone call from her doctor’s office while at work. From a routine checkup, her primary care provider noticed her body’s white blood cell count was dangerously low.

Her primary care provider immediately advised her to quit her job and refrain from traveling anywhere, even just a simple trip to the grocery store. Harrison said her doctor explained that if she was in a car accident, she would bleed out.

The diagnosis that started the fight

She was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). MDS is a rare type of blood cancer that causes blood-forming cells in the bone marrow to become damaged, abnormal or defective. Ultimately, this cancer leaves the individual without enough normal blood cells to function.

MDS usually does not present symptoms until the disease progresses. The disease is usually detected in blood work, even before the patient experiences any symptoms. This was the case for Harrison. Once the disease progresses, patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, frequent infections, bleeding, pale skin, weight loss, loss of appetite, pain in the bones and fever.

Instead of sitting on the bleachers cheering on her family, she was now confined to a chair at the age of 53 receiving intensive chemotherapy infusions.

“I had never even heard of this disease. Even working all my life as a hospital transporter, I had never run into someone with this disease until that patient was me,” Harrison said.

After three months of infusions without improvement, a dear friend and neighbor recommended getting a second opinion at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit. Harrison was greeted with a warm welcome and the kindhearted nature of Lois Ayash, M.D., member of the Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplant (BMT) Multidisciplinary Team.

Kim’s bone marrow transplant

The BMT team at Karmanos performs around 200 transplants each year. In progressed stages of MDS, a bone marrow transplant is the recommended course of action if the patient is healthy enough to withstand the potential rigors of the therapy and graft-versus-host disease, according to Dr. Ayash.

“Without a transplant, the bone marrow will completely fail, or the disease will transform to acute leukemia. There is a better chance of curing the patient if a transplant is performed,” she explained.

After just four months, Harrison received the phone call she needed. Not only was there one match, but Karmanos found several.

March 27, 2014 was a long-anticipated day for Harrison and her family. Just like any other morning, she woke up bright and early for her five-mile walk.

“I always told people it’s important to be in the best shape of your life before surgery, and I was going to do just that before my transplant,” Harrison explained.

When she got home from her walk, she approached her husband Bruce with a razor. She had him shave every hair on her head. With a harmonious mix of giggles and tears, he looked her in the eyes and recited a phrase that would soon become her anchor in times of hardship: “I am so proud of you.”

Approaching the 10th floor, Harrison was greeted with a smile and simple remark that would gear her mind for the best.

Harrison recounted, “The friendliest nurse came into the room and told me something I would never forget, ‘You have the most beautiful head.’ As a newly diagnosed cancer patient, that meant the world to me.”

With two vital bags of plasma in hand, Harrison’s care team reviewed all the details.

“What I loved about the staff at Karmanos was their dedication to detail and understanding. They would go over everything with me to make sure I understood just what to expect on my road to healing,” reflected Harrison.

“The patient interaction is the best part of the job. I personally love taking care of them as they go through transplant in-person,” said Dr. Ayash. “I know it’s a scary time for them, but I love getting them through the chemotherapy, the transplant and the other tough parts of the care process.”

Cheering on their cheerleader

Once the transplant was completed, Harrison was confined to her hospital room for 30 days with three simple tasks. One of the tasks was to get up and walk 16 laps around the transplant floor. Each time she would complete a lap, she would pass by the symbolic bell that she believed would one day signify the end of her cancer treatment.

“My life literally depended on my white blood cell count. It wasn’t about how I was feeling; it was solely based on my numbers each week,” said Harrison.

Harrison remained steadfast and strong with her greatest supporter by her side, her husband Bruce, who would remind her each day how proud he was of her. She believes her husband’s words kept her going when everything else in her wanted to quit.

Rather than arrive at the field to support her grandchildren in their athletic endeavors, her grandchildren were the ones arriving with flowers and everything yellow to brighten her day. To them, their grandmother is the strongest person in the world.

“I assumed my grandma was fearful of the unknown, but I never saw it in her,” Harrison’s granddaughter Claire shared. “She was the walking lap queen. When she took laps around the hospital, she would beat all the other patients by so many laps, which just showed her drive to always persevere. Not saying she didn’t have vulnerable moments, but I mean from what she could control, she’d use it.”

Kim’s new normal

Another one of Harrison’s greatest encouragements came from her care team. From the doctors to the physician assistants, to the nurses, to the cleaning staff, they made each day unforgettable. Harrison said she will cherish the relationships she made forever.

After thirty days, she was finally able to go home. Whether it was spending up to two hours each week sorting her medication or driving her to every follow-up appointment, her husband was her rock, as they took each step together.

Returning to Karmanos for her follow-up bloodwork brought many emotions for Harrison. Week after week, she began to get discouraged at the lack of improvement in her white blood count. She longed to be sitting in the benches cheering on her favorite player: number 10, her daughter Ashley. Over time, Dr. Ayash came to a conclusion: this was Harrison’s new normal range. The bone marrow transplant was successful. These were the words Harrison longed to hear since the first day she heard of MDS.

As a result of the careful care and consideration of the Karmanos team, Harrison has been cancer free for nine years.

“I did not know if I would be able to make it to see my daughter’s graduation or the birth of my grandsons, but I made it because of the experience and expertise at Karmanos,” Harrison said.

She was able to return to watch Ashley finish her softball season.

“I always knew that my mom would be watching my game in any way she could. Whether it was in the stands, in the car, or on a screen at home, she did whatever she could to support me. That support gave me confidence to do my best,” said Ashley.

Nine years since her initial diagnosis, Harrison enjoys taking vacations with her husband of over 26 years. She continues to enjoy cheering on her biggest fans and cheerleaders—her family.

“I have truly forgotten that I’ve had a bone marrow transplant. I have forgotten that I was sick because I am now in my new normal,” described Kim.

“From the clerks at check-in, to the lab technicians, to the nurses, I am so impressed with the quality of care and dedication that the Karmanos staff gives our patients,” said Dr. Ayash. “It is normal for patients to be anxious, but I know the staff will do everything they can to make this a positive experience for them.”

Data released by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry shows that Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Bone Marrow Transplantation Program is one of only a select group nationwide reporting some of the best survival outcomes for related and unrelated stem cell transplantation.

If you are in need of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, it is important to be evaluated by the experts in this field before beginning treatment. Call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) to schedule an appointment.

Like many others, Jaimie Hutchison had put off her mammogram during the COVID-19 pandemic. Routine health screenings, including cancer screenings, saw a significant drop during this time due to stay-at-home orders and other disruptions caused by the pandemic, leaving a gap in early detection of cancer.

“I had just been promoted at my job and had been feeling very tired, brushing it off as pandemic fatigue, but I knew I had to get back to scheduling and getting my health screenings that I was behind on,” said Hutchison. “It had been about two years since I had my last mammogram, so that was one of the first screenings I received.”

Hutchison was diagnosed shortly after her mammogram with HER2-positive breast cancer in May 2022. Soon after, she met with Dr. Daniel Isaac for her cancer treatment. Dr. Isaac is a hematologist and medical oncologist at MSU Health Care and works at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Greater Lansing, and a Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team member through the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. 

“I ended up having to undergo a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy,” said Hutchison.

Hutchison is the director of the Michigan State University WorkLife Office, and she used her skills and career background to find additional resources she could utilize while receiving her treatment and continuing to work. Hutchison stated that the support she received not only from her work, but also from her family and friends, as well as Karmanos staff, helped her through a very stressful time.

“It was a very long and taxing journey, but I had a big network, including my family, along with Dr. Isaac and the staff that helped me navigate through it all,” said Hutchison.

On May 31, 2023, Hutchison celebrated her last infusion treatment. She is back to working full-time and focusing on building up her strength.

“I just got to my one-year mark since my treatment started, and I am now cancer-free, so I am very fortunate,” said Hutchison. “I’ve been able to get back to working out and building my stamina back.”

Hutchison uses her experience as an opportunity to stress to others to take care of themselves and their health, and that includes getting routine health screenings.

“Without our health, we cannot be good at anything else that we do,” said Hutchison. “I encourage everyone to get their annual screenings done because early detection is so important.”

As Hutchison continues her health journey, she also volunteers as a Girl Scout leader and said she’s looking forward to spending this summer doing water activities, taking trips to northern Michigan with her family, and getting back to reengaging in the things that she loves to do, now that she is cancer-free.

Terrell Thomas has always been a positive person. ‘Extraordinarily positive’ by his own declaration.

Thomas’s positive outlook early on carried him through law school and practice. He became a fitness instructor after losing more than 100 pounds. However, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had to undergo treatment in early 2022.

Thomas’s diagnosis came as a surprise, but not necessarily a shock. As an African American male with a family history of his father, brother and uncles all having had prostate cancer, Thomas was at high risk of developing the disease. This knowledge and his drive to care for his health motivated Thomas to act proactively. One day in 2021, he was at the gym and decided he would seek out testing for prostate cancer. He admitted that he was one of those men who thought he could not be touched by illness because of his active lifestyle, so he had not seen a physician for quite some time. It was just something in him that day that led to the discovery.

“I didn’t have any symptoms. There wasn’t a trigger per se. I just thought, ‘I need to get this done,’” Thomas said.

The baseline age for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer is 45-50 years old. For African American males, testing can occur even earlier, as they are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer, particularly those with a strong family history, like Thomas.

He made an appointment at a local oncology center where a digital rectal examination and PSA test were performed. His PSA test, a blood test that measures the levels of PSA in the blood, revealed that Thomas had elevated levels, which could indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

Thomas said his PSA level was 7.1.

“The first doctor immediately recommended surgery. I just wasn’t comfortable with the advice that I was getting. I needed a second opinion. Soon, I had an appointment at Karmanos.”

A Second Opinion Charts a Way Forward

Thomas said he knew he would have a different experience at the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit.

“I just knew everything would work out,” he said.

The family atmosphere at Karmanos reassured him. In late 2021, he attended his second opinion appointment and examination with Michael Cher, M.D., urologic oncologist and member of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos. Dr. Cher ordered a biopsy, and a dozen samples were collected. Cancerous cells were present in one of the 12 samples.

Dr. Cher discussed all of Thomas’ treatment options, ranging from observation over time to radiation to surgery.

“Watching it wasn’t an option for me, and I didn’t want to have surgery because of the high chance of erectile dysfunction that comes with surgery,” Thomas said. “I chose to have radiation.”

A 'Bromance' is Born

Thomas’ radiation treatment at Karmanos was overseen by Nitin Vaishampayan, M.D., radiation oncologist and interim leader of the Genitourinary Oncology MDT. Thomas affectionately calls him Dr. V.

“I believe in modalities, energies and things like that. I think that the more positive you are, the better the outcomes. When I met Dr. V., that same energy was espoused from him,” Thomas explained.

Starting in February 2022, Thomas underwent six weeks of radiation treatment, Monday through Friday.

“So, at 7 a.m., I went down to Karmanos for radiation, left there and went to work. I never missed a day of work in those six weeks.”

Thomas credits Dr. Vaishampayan’s skill and care as the keys that helped him get through his treatment successfully.

“He is the best doctor I’ve ever had, not only from a skill set or a knowledge standpoint, but how he truly cares about patients.”

“It’s important to make sure patients are well informed about the advantages, disadvantages and potential side effects of their cancer treatment,” said Dr. Vaishampayan. “When I consult with a patient, I review in detail all of the different treatment options and listen to their questions and concerns to give them a balanced view of all the options.”

Over the course of his treatment and subsequent follow-ups, Thomas and Dr. Vaishampayan developed a special bond – a ‘bromance’ as Thomas calls it – thanks to Dr. Vaishampayan’s thorough oversight of his treatment and candor. Thomas calls Dr. Vaishampayan his brother, and in exchange, Dr. Vaishampayan said Thomas is ‘such a special man who lights up the room with his positive attitude.’

Professor, Fitness Instructor, Real Estate Expert, Advocate, and Champion

Today, Thomas is in remission. The Oak Park resident is a professor of political science, teaching African American studies and business law at Wayne County Community College, a fitness instructor and a real estate broker. Additionally, he is a vocal advocate and champion for prostate cancer screening and regular medical care.

He follows up with Dr. Vaishampayan every six months to check his status and see his friend. Thomas said he also encourages men, young and old, to be proactive about prostate screenings.

“A lot of men, when they get to a certain comfortable stage of life, just don’t want to learn anything that might disrupt their comfort. My thing is if you get a negative diagnosis, your comfort will be disrupted anyway, so you may as well go get checked out,” Thomas said.

“At Karmanos, they are not only people with M.D.s and RNs on their credentials. They are people who care. If someone comes to Karmanos first and then goes to get a second opinion, they’re going to come back to Karmanos. I feel that strongly in my heart.”

First Diagnosis. Second Opinion. Best Chance.

Knowledge is power when it comes to advocating for your health.

Start Your Second Opinion Request