Lung cancer can be a devastating diagnosis. Support from family and loved ones matter. For the past 20 years, we and millions of others across the country and around the world, have celebrated the month of November as lung cancer awareness month. Albany holds several events locally to raise awareness for preventing and fighting this disease.
The purpose of this effort is to:
- Raise awareness about the disease, including prevention
- Increase efforts to support others who are fighting the disease
- Educate our community about treatment options, including those which may be curative
Smoking is the greatest risk factor for lung cancer, and as we have seen rates for cigarette use decline over the past 25 years, as have the rates of lung cancer. There are many strategies to stop smoking, including the use of patches and medication.
Many groups have raised money to support local lung cancer patients- one of which is “Run for your lungs” based out of Cordele. Other groups which also support our community include Cancer Coalition of South Georgia and the Phoebe Foundation to name a few.
Phoebe Putney offers free CT (or CAT) scan screening which is used to detect cancer early. Patients must be referred by their primary physician. Early and even advanced stage lung cancer can be curable. Surgery, chemotherapy, of radiotherapy may be used for treatment.
A noninvasive technique used to cure early staged disease is known as SABR, an ablative technique which can be completed in 3 to 5 sessions over the course of 2 weeks. Control rates for this technique are better than 90%.
For more information about Phoebe’s free screening program known as Lung Watch, call (229) 312-5735. For more information about the treatment of lung cancer, feel free to call our us, or navigate our website to link to the patient education tab.
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