Griffin Hospital in Derby slates free talk on lung cancer

DERBY - Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer because it is frequently diagnosed when it is too late for effective treatments.

In recognition of The Great American Smokeout and Griffin Hospital’s Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program, the hospital will host “Lung Cancer: Know Your Risks, Know Your Options” at 6 p.m. Nov. 18 in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

Presented by Pulmonary Specialist K. Marya Chaisson, MD, Thoracic/Vascular Surgeon Richard P. Salzano, MD, and Smoking Cessation Coach Carrie O’Malley, RN, the talk will discuss the causes of lung cancer, its warning signs, screening options and Griffin Hospital’s free smoking cessation program. 

Attendees will be able to take a free evaluation to see if they are at high risk for lung cancer, and may be eligible to receive a free low-dose CT lung cancer screening.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients diagnosed with lung cancer in the earliest stage have an 88 percent chance of living 10 years or longer. 

Unfortunately, lung cancer has little or no symptoms in the early stages, so more than 85 percent of men and women are diagnosed in late stages when there is very little chance for a cure. Research suggests that increased screening of high-risk individuals could prevent up to 12,000 lung cancer deaths per year.

The Great American Smokeout
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 224,210 new cases of lung cancer are expected in 2014, accounting for about 14 percent of cancer diagnoses. Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer in both men and women. 
An estimated 159,260 deaths, accounting for about 27 percent of all cancer deaths, are expected to occur this year.

The American Cancer Society is encouraging smokers this month to use Nov. 20, the date of The Great American Smokeout, as a day to make a plan to quit smoking. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step that can lead to reducing cancer risk. 
Cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor for lung cancer, a risk that increases with both quantity and duration of smoking. In addition, tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the country.

That’s It - Learn to Quit is a free smoking cessation program offered by Griffin Hospital. The goal of the program is to help you learn how to quit. There are different methods of quitting and managing nicotine withdrawal. If one method didn’t work in the past there are others to try. 

For more information or to sign-up for That’s It - Learn to Quit, call 203-732-1476 or visit griffincancercenter.org.

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U “Tuesday Talks,” a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

All Tuesday Talks are held in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center at 130 Division St. Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.