Canadian Cancer Patients Seek Second Opinions, Treatments at the Karmanos
Cancer Center in Detroit

    



    
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<p><span class="xn-location">DETROIT</span>, <span class="xn-chron">May 14</span> /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two years ago, <span class="xn-person">Beverlee London</span> of <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> was diagnosed with Stage I lung cancer. <span class="xn-location">London</span> was given the news by her lung specialist in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> that she had a malignant tumor on her right lung.  She also decided at the time to visit the <span class="xn-person">Barbara Ann</span> Karmanos Cancer Center in <span class="xn-location">Detroit</span> for a second opinion, since she had family living in the area.</p>
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    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071106/KARMANOSLOGO)

    
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<p><span class="xn-location">London</span>, now 67, said that the doctors she visited in <span class="xn-location">Canada</span> wanted to use the strategy of trying to shrink the cancer first through treatment and then possibly use surgery as a follow-up therapy. The doctors she met with at Karmanos took a bolder stance against fighting her lung cancer.</p>
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<p>"When you have cancer, time is of the essence," <span class="xn-location">London</span> said. "My doctor at Karmanos said, 'We're very aggressive. We don't mess around.' The doctors said let's just get it out."</p>
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<p>So <span class="xn-location">London</span> chose to follow the protocol advised by her Karmanos surgeon Mohammed Jahania, M.D., and underwent a five-hour, invasive surgery that removed the lower lobe of her right lung to eliminate the cancer.</p>
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    "I have no regrets about having the surgery," she said.

    
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<p><span class="xn-location">London</span> is one of many Canadian cancer patients who, by virtue of close proximity to the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> border via <span class="xn-location">Detroit</span>, are choosing to get second opinions and subsequent treatments at the Karmanos Cancer Center, one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> and the only hospital solely dedicated to treating cancer in Michigan.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">London</span> said she's also thankful she had a second resource to draw upon after her surgery was over, considering that her cancer made an unfortunate return in late 2009. She said she went back to her doctor in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> for a regular CT scan check-up following her surgery. Radiologists in <span class="xn-location">Canada</span> looked at the scan and said the results were clear of any cancer.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">London</span> sent her slides to <span class="xn-person">Dr. Jahania</span> at Karmanos.  After reviewing the CT scan, he detected some abnormalities and called her back to <span class="xn-location">Detroit</span>.</p>
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<p>"He said he saw something that he didn't like," she said. "He saw microscopic tumors on my trachea and he said the cancer has gone to the lymph nodes. I felt better with two sets of eyes looking at my scans and two brains figuring out my scans. I had to be my own advocate. Everyone that I've met at Karmanos has just been phenomenal."</p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">London</span> has just completed chemotherapy and radiation for her cancer in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> and is hopeful for the future.</p>
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    "I am stronger than I thought I ever was to get through this," she said.

    
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<p>Norman Ordower, a 75-year-old Windsor resident and adrenal cancer survivor, says he's also had a good experience at Karmanos even though he chose to stay in Windsor to have a tumor removed and receive treatments. Ordower consulted with Philip A. Philip, M.D., Ph.D., multidisciplinary team leader of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Karmanos, along with <span class="xn-person">Donald Weaver</span>, M.D., chief of surgery at Karmanos and <span class="xn-person">Wayne State</span> University School of Medicine.</p>
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<p>"I went to Karmanos because of its reputation," he said. "The doctor examined me and came up with almost the same opinion that the doctor who operated on me in Windsor did."</p>
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<p>Ordower chose to have the surgery that would eliminate his cancer completely, but would require him to wear a permanent colostomy bag. He says today he is fully functional, cancer-free and is looking forward to playing golf.</p>
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<p>"Thank God this was the type of cancer that they could clean up," he said. "I'm feeling fine. I can do everything I did before."</p>
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<p>Ordower's daughter, <span class="xn-person">Marni Rosenthal</span> of West Bloomfield, Mich., said she wouldn't have considered getting a second opinion for her dad in the states had it not been for a friend who suggested she go to Karmanos.</p>
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<p>"It's important to be your own advocate," she said. "For the price of a few hundred dollars, we were able to go to Karmanos and get a second opinion. My dad's cancer wasn't just black and white. The education that was provided to us at Karmanos was invaluable.</p>
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<p>"I think it's important for people to know that it's a good option to just go across the border for a second opinion."</p>
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<p>The positive experience that both <span class="xn-location">London</span> and Ordower had at Karmanos also has spread down through the generations in their respective households. Best friends <span class="xn-person">Rachel London</span> and <span class="xn-person">Alanna Rosenthal</span>, Ordower's granddaughter, recently celebrated a joint 10-year birthday celebration and raised more than <span class="xn-money">$1,000</span>, which they donated to Karmanos.</p>
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<p>"My friend Alanna and I wanted to give our birthday money to a worthy organization," said <span class="xn-person">Rachel London</span>. "Karmanos has helped my grandma a lot and has helped Alanna's grandpa, too. We think the work Karmanos does is great!"</p>
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<p>For more information about the Karmanos Cancer Center, please call 1-800-KARMANOS or visit karmanos.org.</p>
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    About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
    
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<p>Located in mid-town <span class="xn-location">Detroit</span>, Michigan, the <span class="xn-person">Barbara Ann</span> Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span>. Caring for nearly 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of <span class="xn-money">$216 million</span>, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the <span class="xn-person">Wayne State</span> University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Karmanos is southeastern Michigan's most preferred hospital for cancer care according to annual surveys conducted by the National Research Corporation. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to <a href="http://www.karmanos.org">www.karmanos.org</a>.</p>
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For further information: Patricia A. Ellis of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, [phone] or cell, [phone] Web Site: http://www.karmanos.org