Premiere of Documentary About Women With Breast Cancer Genes

CHICAGO -- The admission-free documentary "In the Family" will be premiered for the public at two Northwestern University locations: 7 p.m. Monday, May 19, at Thorne Auditorium, Rubloff Building, 375 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago campus; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Ryan Family Auditorium, Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston campus. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The documentary, by local film producer Joanna Rudnick, follows her journey after she learns she carries a genetic mutation that dramatically increases her risk for breast and ovarian cancer. With a family history of both cancers, Rudnick, at age 27, must decide whether to sacrifice her breasts, her ovaries and her fertility to possibly save her life. While chronicling her own story, Rudnick also explores the lives of other women either facing the test or dealing with cancer that followed a positive result. The film is co-produced by Kartemquin Films.

Panel discussions follow both showings. Joining Rudnick on the Chicago panel will be Cathy Wicklund, director of Northwestern's Center for Genetic Medicine's Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, and Lee Shulman, M.D., the Anna Lapham Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and head of reproductive genetics, at the Feinberg School. The Evanston panel will also include Rudnick and Wicklund, along with Wendy Rubenstein, assistant professor of medicine at the Feinberg School and medical director of the Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Center for Medical Genetics.

The screenings are part of the Center for Genetic Medicine Silverstein Lecture Series, sponsored by the Center for Genetic Medicine of Northwestern University.

The Silverstein series is designed to bring advances in genetics research and medicine to the general public. Funding for the Silverstein Lecture Series is provided by the Herman M. and Bea L. Silverstein Medical Research Fund for Genetic Medicine. Event details, including maps and discount parking information, can be found on the CGM website, www.cgm.northwestern.edu/silverstein.htm.