Bon Secours MRMC

Shining a Light YOU MAY BE AT RISK FOR THE MOST DEADLY TYPE OF CANCER, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER SMOKED. In fact, one of 10 lung cancer patients never smoked, according to Gregory Lockhart, MD, FACS, board- certifi ed general and thoracic surgeon at Thoracic Surgery Associates. That makes it very important to take steps to reduce your risk, and the staff at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center is passionate about helping you prevent and fi ght this disease. Several habits that will help lower your chance of developing lung cancer can be easily incorporated into your routines. These include: • eating more fruits and vegetables • scheduling time for exercise • testing your house for radon and making necessary repairs to remove it • using protective gear when you work with harmful substances However, the primary thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is to not use tobacco products. Smoking lowers your ability to fi ght infections and disease. "When cells divide, they occasionally make a mistake," said Dr. Lockhart. "Smoking accelerates that process, which raises the risk of developing cancer." SPOTTING SYMPTOMS Early evidence of lung cancer may include chest pain, coughing up blood and weight loss. More severe symptoms range from facial paralysis to diffi culty swallowing. "Don't ignore weight loss, a cough that won't go away or a change in energy level," said Sherry Fox, PhD, RN, CNRN, Vice President of Bon Secours Oncology. "Ask your primary care physician about any unusual symptom you experience." Memorial Regional provides a full range of diagnostic tools, including computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. CT imaging in particular has become a useful tool for detecting lung lesions at an early stage. TREATMENT OPTIONS Accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer‰ ON LUNG CANCER Physicians, staff, friends and families quietly entered the Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center chapel on a crisp fall evening to memorialize lung cancer victims and celebrate survivors. The "Shine a Light on Lung Cancer" vigil was presented by the Lung Cancer Alliance in partnership with Bon Secours Richmond Health System. Fifty vigils took place across the state at various locations on November 1 to promote lung cancer awareness month. This year, 210,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death in every ethnic group, affecting more people than breast, colon, prostate and pancreatic cancers combined. Srs. Marie Kerns and Mary Houston , Memorial Regional provides multiple treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Patients can receive chemotherapy from an outpatient infusion center while seeing their physician at the same location and on the same day. The nurse navigator also provides specialized services, offering a resource to help patients manage medical services from diagnosis to recovery. These services may include arranging appointments and medical treatments, as well as guiding patients to counseling and fi nancial support services within the hospital and community. "The care environment at Memorial Regional is terrifi c," said Dr. Lockhart. "Spiritual, technical and clinical needs are addressed, and the team will do everything possible to care for patients." Testing for lung cancer is available at Memorial Regional by calling 804-627-5660. A physician order is required. To fi nd a physician, call 804-359-WELL (9355). 8 0 4 - 7 6 4 - 6 0 0 0 bonsecours.com/yourgoodhelp 3 with Mission Services contributed to the program, as did Drs. Gregory Lockhart and Darius Hollings of Thoracic Surgery Associates. Testimonials were shared by lung cancer survivors and family members of lung cancer victims. The evening commenced with the lighting of candles in honor of lung cancer survivors and the reading of the names of friends and family members who lost their battle to lung cancer. In celebration of lung cancer awareness month and in the months to come, please do your part to shine the light on lung cancer.

• Cover