Griffin Hospital in Derby to host smoking cessation talk

DERBY -With The Great American Smokeout weeks away, Griffin Hospital is helping those looking to quit smoking find support and learn about lifesaving screenings.

Griffin will host a free talk entitled “Lung Cancer: Know Your Risks, Know Your Options” at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 in the hospital’s Dining Room, 130 Division St.

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

Attendees will be able to take a free evaluation to see if they are at high risk for lung cancer, and may be eligible for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening that is covered by Medicaid, Medicare and most health insurance.

The American Cancer Society is encouraging smokers this month to use Nov. 19, 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.
“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.
In addition to helping people quit smoking, Griffin’s Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program increases a person’s chances of surviving lung cancer. 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.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 221,200 new cases of lung cancer are expected in 2015. With an estimated 158,040 deaths this year, lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer in both men and women. 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.

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.

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


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.