Special event at Comerica Park promotes breast cancer screening and awareness
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, in partnership with the Detroit Tigers and McLaren Health Care, the official health care system of the Tigers, continues the tradition of the “Pink Out the Park” theme during the Friday, May 13 game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. This special event has raised awareness for breast health for the past 10 years. Breast cancer survivors will be honored during a special pre-game ceremony on the field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
Throughout the game and in the Comerica Park concourse, fans will have the opportunity to engage with several activities, including a ceremonial first pitch, in-game awareness promotions, and an on-field recognition ceremony honoring members of the Karmanos Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team. Tigers fans will have the opportunity to honor a loved-one who has faced breast cancer by holding up “Pink Out the Park” cheer cards during a tribute and moment of reflection.
“Every year, this event brings out hundreds of survivors and their families as they not only enjoy a great game and cheer on our Tigers, but they also come together as a community to emphasize the importance of screening for breast cancer,” said Michael Simon, M.D., MPH, co-leader of the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos Cancer Institute. “We celebrate breast cancer survivors and those battling the disease, for their bravery and their fight. Comerica Park, the Detroit Tigers, and the city has supported this important initiative. Get ready to see a sea of pink at the ballpark on May 13.”
The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a Pink Out the Park pullover hoodie. Special Pink Out the Park ticket packages are available to support Karmanos. Each ticket package includes a tickets for the May 13 Tigers game, a pink Tigers baseball hat, and a $5 donation to Karmanos Cancer Institute. Visit tigers.com/pink to purchase.
Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). In the United States, women have a one-in-eight chance of developing the disease. In 2022, ACS estimates that 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed. Currently, there are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
At Karmanos, the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team includes surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, plastic surgeons, pharmacists, specialized nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers and genetic counselors. The team is specialized and entirely focused on treating breast cancer and shares its collective expertise to create a customized treatment plan for each patient.
In the fight against cancer, early detection is an important weapon since cancer is most treatable in its early stages. Many forms of cancer do not display symptoms at their onset, so screening tests are used to monitor for warning signs. Karmanos recommends an annual screening mammogram for all women of average risk beginning at age 40. Women with one or more risk factors should talk with their family doctor or a Karmanos expert about when to start screening for breast cancer.
Patient referrals are not needed to receive a screening mammography at Karmanos. To request a mammogram appointment or learn more, visit karmanos.org/screening or call 1-800-KARMANOS.