“My husband and I talked about it and decided that even if it didn’t save me, if it could help someone else, I had to do it.”
It was a warm, foggy day in 1970 when Pam Roach, then a high school sophomore, spent a rare and cherished day at Lake Michigan with friends. She soaked in the summer air, lying on the sand for hours, careful to wear sunscreen, but she underestimated how powerful the sun’s rays could be, even through the clouds.
By the end of the day, Roach had developed a severe sunburn, so intense that her skin blistered across her chest. It was painful, but as a teenager, she brushed it off until she noticed a brown mole appeared in the same spot. Over time, that mole darkened, eventually catching Roach's and her mother's attention.
Concerned with the change in appearance of this specific mole over several years, her mother insisted she see a doctor.
A Shocking Diagnosis
Her mother’s instincts were correct. After a biopsy, Roach learned she had melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. She could not believe what she heard. She was careful to wear sunscreen. How did one foggy day out in the sun result in a cancer diagnosis?
"Patients often associate their skin cancer diagnosis with a single sunburn or specific event because it stands out in their memory. However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that melanoma develops from just one incident; rather, it is the result of prolonged and repeated UV exposure over time," clarified Lawrence Flaherty, M.D., medical oncologist and leader of the Melanoma Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
After adjusting to her new reality, she prepared for what was next. In those days, treatment was straightforward: surgery to remove the affected area. As a West Michigan resident, Roach sought care in her local area.
“They took it off my chest and said, ‘Pam, go live your life,’” she recalled.
There were no follow-up appointments, no additional treatments, just the assumption that the cancer was gone. Like many patients at the time, she didn’t question her doctors.
For 30 years, she did precisely what her doctors told her: "I lived my life.”
A Second Cancer Battle—But Not the One She Expected
However, at 50, Roach felt a small lump under her armpit. Having watched her mother battle breast cancer, she immediately thought, ‘This is it.’
She scheduled a biopsy, preparing herself for a breast cancer diagnosis. But when the results came back, the real shock hit – her melanoma had returned.
“I thought if melanoma came back, it would be another black mole. That’s not necessarily true. Melanoma can look and present in different ways,” she said.
Even more devastating, her oncologist in Grand Rapids informed her that the original melanoma hadn’t been completely removed. Now, the cancer had progressed to stage III metastatic melanoma, and her chances of surviving even one year were estimated at just 15%.
Roach had few options until her doctors looked into clinical trials.
Choosing Hope: Enrolling in a Clinical Trial
Only two cancer centers in the country were offering leading-edge treatments for her particular type of melanoma. One was in California, and the other was just a few hours away at the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit.
Her doctor explained that while clinical trials don’t have guarantees, they often provide the best chance of a cure.
“My husband and I talked about it and decided that even if it didn’t save me, if it could help someone else, I had to do it,” Roach remembered.
She still recalls the overwhelming anxiety of that first visit to Karmanos until she met Dr. Flaherty.
“He is just an absolute angel on Earth,” she shared. “There’s something about him, he makes you feel comfortable, like you’re in the best hands.”
Dr. Flaherty humbly reflects on these moments with patients, saying, "It is always heartwarming to hear patients feel this way, and it supports my purpose for why I do what I do.”
Roach enrolled in a six-year clinical trial with Dr. Flaherty as the principal investigator. The treatment was grueling, but she never allowed herself to quit. Twenty-five years later, she remains melanoma-free.
Another Diagnosis—Another Victory
Unfortunately, Roach’s cancer journey didn’t end there. In December 2023, during a routine mammogram, doctors found something concerning.
A biopsy confirmed it; she had breast cancer.
At 75 years old, Roach underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, facing yet another battle with cancer. And once again, she beat it.
“I feel truly blessed and I’m grateful for the incredible care and advancements in treatment that have given me a third chance at life,” she shared.
Pam’s Advice for Others
Despite everything, Roach considers herself lucky. She built a life filled with love, raising her two children alongside her supportive husband, and today, she cherishes every moment with her three granddaughters.
This is her advice for others facing a cancer diagnosis:
- Don’t Google everything; it can lead you down a rabbit hole of fear and misinformation.
- Always bring someone to appointments to help take notes and process information.
- Write everything down, including questions, symptoms and treatment details, so nothing is forgotten.
- Prioritize screenings, whether it’s for skin, breast, lung, or any other cancer.
The Power of Clinical Trials
Thanks to Roach and countless others who participate in clinical trials, new treatments continue to be developed, offering hope to future cancer patients. At Karmanos, the Melanoma MDT is committed to advancing treatments and improving survival rates for patients facing this aggressive disease through clinical trials.
"We are a team of like-minded professionals dedicated to finding new treatments and support for patients. Like any strong community, we share a common approach to patient care and diversity, ensuring all needs are met in a collaborative and supportive environment with access to novel therapies that improve patient outcomes,” Dr. Flaherty expressed.
Just like in Roach’s case, many cancer patients are told there is currently no treatment available to treat their disease, whether they have failed many previous treatments or were diagnosed at a later stage. There are also cases where the standard of care may not target their cancer as aggressively or accurately as a therapy that is currently being studied. These patients are usually eligible for a clinical trial that may be offered only at Karmanos. Karmanos offers a number of cancer treatments not found elsewhere in Michigan.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, call 1-800-KARMANOS to schedule an appointment with one of our world-renowned experts, or visit karmanos.org.