Features

General Motors Supports Breast Cancer Prevention Program

Having a sister with breast cancer puts 55-year old Arlene Brown at-risk for the disease, too. She enrolled in the STAR breast cancer prevention trial to monitor her condition and reduce her risk for developing cancer herself. The trial is a partnership between General Motors and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

In an effort to improve the health and quality of life for its employees, General Motors Corp. has agreed to work with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute to participate in the STAR breast cancer prevention trial. STAR is an acronym for the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene, which is sponsored by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, a cancer research network supported by the National Cancer Institute.

GM is helping its female employees and retirees get recruited into the study, which screens women to determine their risk for developing breast cancer. “Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. We estimate that over 150,000 GM employees, retirees and their family members were treated for cancer last year. That’s nearly 18 percent of the 1.2 million people covered by GM healthcare plans – an enormous figure,” said Marcus Wilson, MD, GM corporate medical director. “GM is at the forefront of companies battling cancer, and we constantly strive to improve our employees’ quality of life. That’s why our support for breast cancer prevention research is absolutely critical.”

The STAR trial is designed to compare the effectiveness and safety of raloxifene to tamoxifen for reducing breast cancer risk. More than 500 centers across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada are enrolling 22,000 postmenopausal women aged 35 and older who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. More than 8,500 women have already joined STAR since it began in July 1999.

Dr. Michael Simon, who is coordinating this effort with Karmanos and GM, said, “I am thrilled that women in our area who are covered by GM healthcare plans are being given this innovative opportunity to learn about their breast cancer risk and to consider joining STAR. Corporate support for the idea of preventive health and prevention trials is unique right now, but I hope to say differently in the future. GM should be applauded for their efforts. Everyone benefits when prevention is made a priority.”

GM currently touts an employee wellness program called LifeSteps, the largest corporate health promotion program in the world. LifeSteps promotes healthy lifestyles and helps to educate and inform GM healthcare enrollees so they can be more active in making healthcare decisions.

2000 Report to Investors:
Creating Personal Partnerships

Partnerships for Life

The Quest to Improve Women's Health

Gifts from Alumni

Gifts from Faculty, Staff, Friends and Corporations

2000/2001 Alumni Annual Telefund Volunteers

2000 New Endowed Funds at the School of Medicine

Alumni Contact Information

Bibliographies:
Anatomy and Cell Biology

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Center for Healthcare Effectiveness Research