Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
June 11, 2021
WHEREAS, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary condition in which an individual can develop hundreds to thousands of polyps in the colon; and,
WHEREAS, if undiagnosed and/or untreated, the polyps can lead to colorectal cancer at an average age of 39 years; affected individuals are also at an increased risk of developing small intestinal cancer, thyroid cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer, desmoid tumors, and osteomas; and,
WHEREAS, Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (AFAP) is a variant of the condition with similar risks, but is typically associated with fewer colon polyps that develop later in life than in classic FAP; and,
WHEREAS, a person affected by FAP/AFAP may be unaware of having the condition, and, the brothers, sisters, and children of the affected individual have a 50% risk of also having inherited the syndrome; FAP/AFAP can be diagnosed through a colonoscopy and through genetic testing, which can enable family members to avoid unnecessary screening if it is determined that they do not have either condition; and,
WHEREAS, appropriate screenings and accurate health management in those affected with FAP/AFAP can significantly reduce their risk of colon and other cancers from nearly 100% to nearly zero, enabling those who are effectively treated to live to normal life expectancies and improve quality of life; and,
WHEREAS, during this week, we join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Cancer Genetics Alliance, and community service partners such as the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor and Gilda's Club in Grand Rapids to raise awareness of FAP/AFAP; we encourage all residents to gather their family history, talk with their health care provider to determine their need for genetic counseling and testing for FAP/AFAP and other hereditary cancers, and communicate this with their family members in order to save lives;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 13-19, 2021 as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Awareness Week in Michigan.