The three-year program is funded by a $2.5 million partnership between the United Health Foundation and the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA)
In October 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a new, three-year, $2.5 million partnership between the United Health Foundation and the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) to develop a pilot program for genetic testing and breast cancer screening at five Michigan community health centers (CHCs). The partnership aims to increase patient education and testing rates and enhance care transitions through improved technology, community partnerships and data analysis.
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been selected as a genetic counseling provider for all five sites. CHCs will identify patients who qualify for this pilot program. Patients will then meet with a Karmanos genetic counselor who will provide pre-test counseling, facilitate the genetic testing and offer follow-up post-test counseling so patients may thoroughly understand their results. These services are currently offered at Karmanos. Through the United Health Foundation and MPCA, this program can serve additional patients throughout the state of Michigan at no cost. All consultations take place virtually.
"It is an honor for Karmanos to be selected as a genetic counseling provider for this pilot partnership. We know that genetic counseling and testing play an important role in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. This partnership expands the reach of Karmanos' expertise so we may serve even more patients who can benefit from genetic counseling and testing," said Nancie Petrucelli, director and senior genetic counselor with the Cancer Genetic Counseling Service at the Karmanos Cancer Institute.
The partnership funding will also support staff training across the pilot sites, provide access to care managers and enable partnerships with health systems to implement referrals and track newly-diagnosed patients. The five CHC sites are CHASS – Community Health & Social Services Center in Detroit, Cherry Health in Grand Rapids, East Jordan in its namesake, Western Wayne in Inkster and Honor Community Health in Pontiac.
Genetic Counseling at Karmanos
While most cancers occur by chance, it is estimated that about five to ten percent of cancer cases run in families (hereditary). At Karmanos, genetic counseling can help patients understand the impact their personal and family history has on their chance of developing cancer, as well as the risk to other family members and the appropriateness of genetic testing. It can also help them understand their options for prevention, early detection and treatment. The Cancer Genetic Counseling Service provides patients with choices, options and counseling regarding their cancer risk. The goal is to help patients understand their cancer risk and become more involved in reducing their risk by modifying their lifestyle and developing a personalized screening and treatment plan.
This service is helpful to anyone who has concerns about their risk of cancer, including those with several relatives with cancer, a personal or family history of a rare or unusual cancer (e.g., ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer), a relative with more than one type of cancer or a personal or family history of cancer under the age of 50. To learn more, visit go here.