Breast cancer doc ‘Pink & Blue’ gets Royal Oak premiere

Marla Ruhana of Grosse Pointe Woods is one of several local subjects in the documentary “Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer,” which screens tonight at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak.

The film takes a look at breast cancer in both women and men, and follows several patients dealing with BRCA1 and BRCA2, gene mutations that can increase risk of breast cancer.

“Knowledge is power, and this film is instrumental in educating the public that genomics and prevention are the wave of the future,” says Ruhana, who in the film explains her decision to not have reconstructive surgery after undergoing a double-mastectomy.

“We don’t have cures for cancer, but we have a lot of things we can do to prevent it,” she says.

The Tuesday screening will be preceded with a red carpet arrival ceremony, and after the film, director Alan M. Blassberg and executive producer Amy Byer Shainman will host a panel discussion about issues raised in the film.

Advance tickets, $12, are available through the Main Art Theatre’s website.

Former “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi appears in the film, as does Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, who is scheduled to appear at the screening with several other Red Wings players. The film also includes music from Detroit pop-rock group Kaleido.

The film premiered in Los Angeles last year and has traveled to several different film festivals. Tonight’s screening will mark Ruhana’s first viewing. “My husband and I are feeling a lot of nervous excitement,” she says.

agraham@detroitnews.com

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‘Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer’

7:30 Tuesday night

Main Art Theatre, 118 N. Main St., Royal Oak

Tickets $12

Not rated

Running time: 85 minutes