Claxton-Hepburn

5 L I V I N G W E L L www.claxtonhepburn.org Lung Cancer Care Enhancing Community Approximately 224,210 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. When it comes to lung cancer treatment, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center offers hometown access to the latest technologies and techniques. Successful lung cancer treatment often requires a combination of therapies that may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. The Richard E. Winter Cancer Center at Claxton-Hepburn is at the forefront of cancer care, offering a wide range of advanced chemotherapy and radiation therapies. EXPLORING TREATMENT OPTIONS In 2014, the Cancer Center took its commitment to delivering excellent care to the next level with the addition of the Varian Trilogy system. Doctors at the Cancer Center use this new linear accelerator to perform stereotactic radiosurgery, an advanced form of radiation therapy that was previously unavailable in the A MILESTONE TO CELEBRATE Just in time for National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Richard E. Winter Cancer Center at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center is launching a new lung cancer screening program in November 2014. This screening program will offer low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to individuals with an elevated lung cancer risk due to factors such as heavy smoking or family history of the disease. North Country. Using this technology, doctors can more accurately pinpoint lung tumors, which allows them to use higher, targeted radiation doses and often reduces the number of required treatment sessions. "The Trilogy linear accelerator provides precise, image- guided radiotherapy and will best serve those with early- stage lung cancer," says John Gebert, MD, radiation oncologist at Claxton-Hepburn. "With this technology, patients no longer have to travel to a university hospital setting to receive the most up-to-date treatment." The Trilogy system complements the Cancer Center's existing linear accelerator, which provides intensity- modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The most common type of radiation therapy used at the Cancer Center for lung cancer treatment, IMRT also allows doctors to better target tumors and limit possible damage to surrounding healthy tissues. The Richard E. Winter Cancer Center is currently the only center in the area to offer advanced radiation therapies and chemotherapy in one location. "When it comes to care for all types of cancer, we strive to provide leading-edge technology and access to the best available treatments," says Jerry Sheppard, director of cancer services at Claxton-Hepburn. "We put our patients at the forefront of every new project. With the Trilogy system, we're going to make it easier for community members to receive the treatment they need." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking causes 90 percent of lung cancer cases. If you smoke, talk with your physician about quitting.

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