"I chose Karmanos because they solely specialize in cancer, and if we are fortunate enough to have it in Michigan, where else would I go?”
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 advocate for her health the same way she'd advocate for others and visit the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit for a second opinion.
“I chose Karmanos because they solely specialize in cancer, and if we are fortunate enough to have it in Michigan, where else would I go?” said Roach.
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 chemotherapy once a week for 12 weeks, followed by four weeks of radiation treatments and five years of taking an oral hormone blocker. Drs. Flaherty and Dominello are both members of the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, as mentioned by Dr. Flaherty. Most of the time, breast cancers are identified by mammograms and without any symptoms. Cancer is the most curable in its early stages, so Karmanos recommends an annual screening mammogram for all women of average risk beginning at age 40.
When treating breast cancer, Dr. Flaherty likes to make sure patients understand the process from start to finish.
“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 to Dr. Flaherty’s. He said patients typically come for their first radiation consultation with little to no knowledge of what radiation is or what it accomplishes.
“The first step to helping patients understand is listening. This could be listening to what the patients have experienced after surgery or chemotherapy, or it could be listening to their body language or questions to identify how we can help them better understand the process.”
“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.
According to her oncologists, she had a positive attitude and a drive to do more for the community around cancer awareness.
“She saw this as an opportunity to help other people in general with cancer that might be underserved or might not know as much,” said Dr. Flaherty.
Shortly after finishing her treatments, Roach continued to advocate for the prevention and cure of cancer 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 her volunteering, fundraising and positive attitude. Her most recent accomplishment is publishing a book based on her cancer journey. And yet, five years after her initial diagnosis, one of Roach’s greatest passions is to start the conversation on the importance of routine cancer screenings and getting a second opinion.
“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 has 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.