Griffin fair at Quarry Walk in Oxford to highlight lung health

OXFORD - In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness and National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) months, Griffin Health will host a Lung Health Fair from 8 a.m.-noon Nov. 9 at Griffin Imaging & Diagnostics Center. 

The Center is at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

The fair will feature information on Griffin’s patient-centered lung health services, including its Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening Program, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, free tobacco and nicotine cessation program, Respiratory Therapy, and the Center for Sleep Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

According to the 2022 Valley Community Index, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the Valley and the rate of lung cancer death is higher than the state average.

Annual lung screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) has been shown to save lives by detecting lung cancer early, when it is more treatable. 

Griffin’s Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening Program is recommended for individuals ages 50-80 who have smoked at least an average of one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. This includes people who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. 

Those who currently have symptoms of a lung condition, such as a new cough or shortness of breath, are not eligible. 

Griffin recommends that individuals with lung condition symptoms see a physician as soon as possible. 

For more information about the Griffin Health Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program, visit griffinhealth.org/lung.

The Great American Smokeout is Nov. 21. This annual event encourages people who use tobacco and nicotine products to make a plan to quit for a healthier future. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., accounting for about 1 in 5 deaths each year. Griffin’s free tobacco and nicotine cessation program, That’s It – Learn to Quit, offers education, advice and support to help individuals prepare to quit. Visit griffinhealth.org/tobacco-cessation for more information and upcoming program dates.

Griffin Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation is designed for those living with chronic lung diseases whose symptoms are compromising their quality of life and well-being. This program helps individuals diagnosed with COPD, Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema, Bronchiectasis, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pulmonary Hypertension, Sarcoidosis, and Lung Cancer. 

Call 203-732-7106 or visit griffinhealth.org/treatments/pulmonary-rehabilitation for more information.

The Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital is a comprehensive program that offers state-of-the-art sleep medicine. The center specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. 

The four-bed Center incorporates a patient-centered model of care, with beautifully appointed sleep study rooms and is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a sleep disorders center. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 203-732-7571 or visit griffinhealth.org/sleep-wellness.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health offers lung cancer screening program

History of smoking? You may be eligible for lung cancer screening.

If you are between the ages of 50-80 years with a 20-pack year history of smoking or currently smoke, you may be eligible for the Griffin Health Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening program.

Studies have shown that early detection can improve cure rates as much as 20 percent.

Cancer experts are available to help you. Call 203-732-1476 or visit griffinhealth.org/lung to answer your questions and assess if you are eligible.

This is shared from Griffin Hospital's Facebook page. 

Griffin Health in Derby offers low dose CT lung cancer screening program

DERBY - If you are between the ages of 50-80 years with a 20-pack year history of smoking or currently smoke, you may be eligible for the Griffin Health Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening program.

Studies have shown that early detection can improve cure rates as much as 20%.

Cancer experts are available to help you, call 203-732-1476 or visit griffinhealth.org/lung to answer your questions and assess if you are eligible.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital to offer lung cancer phone consultations Wednesday

In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital will offer free one-on-one phone calls with specialists in its Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program Wednesday, Nov. 16. Participants in these phone call consultations will be directly referred to a physician specializing in lung cancer if they are a candidate for the program.  Low-dose CT lung cancer screening is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies. Annual lung screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) has been shown to save lives by detecting lung cancer early, when it is more treatable.  This screening program is recommended for individuals ages 50-80 who have smoked at least an average of one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. This includes people who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Spaces are limited. Call 203-732-1280 to make an appointment for the pre-screening phone call or for more information. This free medical consultation is part of Griffin’s commitment to help improve the health and well-being of its community.  According to the 2019-20 Community Health Improvement Plan for the Naugatuck Valley, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the Valley and the rate of lung cancer death is higher than the state average. For more information about Griffin's Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program, visit griffinhealth.org/lung. This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Pre-screenings for lung cancer program slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Center for Cancer Care to offer free pre-screenings for its Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., will offer free pre-screenings Dec. 16 for its Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program.

This event is part of Griffin’s commitment to help improve the health and well-being of its community. 

According to the 2019-20 Community Health Improvement Plan for the Naugatuck Valley, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the Valley and the rate of lung cancer death is higher than the state average.

Annual lung screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) has been shown to save lives by detecting lung cancer early, when it is more treatable. 

This screening program is recommended for individuals ages 55-77 who have smoked at least an average of one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years. This includes people who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. 

Those who currently have symptoms of a lung condition, such as a new cough or shortness of breath, are not eligible. 

Griffin recommends that individuals with lung condition symptoms see a physician as soon as possible.

The pre-screening will be conducted over the phone and participants will be directly referred to a physician specializing in lung cancer if they are a candidate for the program. 

Low dose CT lung cancer screening is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies.

Spaces are limited. 

Call 203-732-1280 to make an appointment for the pre-screening phone call or for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby designated lung cancer screening center

DERBY - A national accreditor of radiology services recently recognized Griffin Hospital as a leader in providing safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

The American College of Radiology designated Griffin Hospital as a Lung Cancer Screening Center, an elite distinction that requires accreditation by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module and a rigorous assessment of lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure.

Additionally, Lung Cancer Screening Centers must provide follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.

“When we started our Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening Program two years ago, we wanted to provide the community with exceptional expertise, technology and patient care together to give individuals the best chance possible in finding and fighting lung cancer,” said Margaret Deegan, vice president of Ambulatory Services at Griffin Hospital. “We’re very honored and proud to receive this designation because it shows we are delivering on this mission.

Because the program was not covered by insurance, Griffin Hospital has provided hundreds of free low-dose lung cancer screens to high-risk individuals since launching its program, not wanting lack of insurance coverage to be a barrier to patients receiving this potentially life-saving test.

To date, six instances of lung cancer have been found and treated among the more than 500 individuals who have been enrolled in the program.

In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In recognition of this fact, Medicare and most major insurances now cover the screening for high-risk individuals.

Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.

For more information about Griffin Hospital’s Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening Program, visit griffinhealth.org/lung.

About the American College of Radiology
The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States.

The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.

For more information about the Lung Cancer Screening Center designation, visit: acr.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

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.