Film and Panel Discussion: In The Family: With Director Joanna Rudnick And UM Cancer Research Experts March 17, 2009

When Chicago filmmaker Joanna Rudnick tested positive for the breast cancer gene at age 27, she knew the information could save her life. The question was what to do about it? At this event, Joanna Rudnick will introduce In the Family, the film that tells her intensely personal story. In this unblinking documentary, we learn that Joanna, whose family has a history of breast and ovarian cancer, took advantage of breakthroughs in genetic research to prepare herself for her own future. Intensely personal and timely, In The Family (which is not rated) is a groundbreaking investigation that attempts to answer the questions: How much do you sacrifice to survive? The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Joanna and a team of leading experts in medical cancer research.

In addition to filmmaker Joanna Rudnick, the post-film panel will feature: • Daniel F. Hayes, Clinical Director of the Breast Oncology Program at the UM Comprehensive Cancer Center, whose research is internationally recognized in the identification of tumor markers, which help to properly evaluate patients with breast cancer • Lisa Newman, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Breast Care Center of the UM Comprehensive Cancer Center, whose research focuses on ethnicity-related variation in breast cancer risk and the evaluation and treatment of high risk patients • Kara Millron, MS, a genetic counselor at the UM Comprehensive Cancer Center, whose research interests include mutations on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer genes.

This event is made possible through a Partners In Research Program with the National Institute of Health and is co-sponsored by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research and the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. This effort is a collaboration with the award-winning documentary series P.O.V. (www.pbs.org/pov).

Official Website: http://www.aadl.org/events/list?id=4021