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HELP YOUR PATIENT QUIT CLEVELAND LEWIS JR., MD, Medical Director of the Lung Cancer Disease Management Team at Orange Regional Medical Center, recommends the following cessation programs: + New York State Smokers' Quitline, 1-866-NY-QUITS + Nicotine Anonymous, hosted by Orange Regional, Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in Conference Center Room 7 + Smoking Cessation, at www.smokefree.gov, which offers free cessation services delivered through the National Cancer Institute Of course, late-stage cures are far rarer than successful treatments for patients diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer — another reason screening is important, Dr. Lewis says. However, late-stage patients can find many sources of hope at Orange Regional. The medical center has recently developed a robust palliative care team. Additionally, clinical trials offer patients a chance to benefit from newer therapies and contribute to the quest to cure lung cancer. Options for Clinical Trials "We offer clinical trials because we believe these trials are essential as we continue to decrease the number of lung cancer deaths," Dr. Lewis says. "All of our lung cancer clinical trials here at Orange Regional are for patients with advanced-stage disease." Study topics include experimental chemotherapy, medical adjuvants to chemotherapy, cancer enzyme testing and maintenance therapy after stan- dard chemotherapy. A clinical research coordinator oversees trials and responds to patient questions. "Typically, patients would have to travel to major cancer centers or academic insti- tutions to access these trials," Dr. Lewis says. "We offer patients with advanced cancer the chance to participate in ground- breaking trials here in our community." Whether patients are coming for a CT screening or attending a support group for long-term cancer survivors, those who visit Orange Regional will find themselves surrounded by a welcoming team. "At Orange Regional, we strive to pro- vide a high level of care in all aspects," Dr. Lewis says. "We want to give patients the same state-of-the-art care they would receive at major academic institutions. Our goal is to provide advanced medical care in the community, close to where patients live and work. This is a multidisciplinary effort involving a team of physicians spe- cialized in lung cancer coming together for our patients." To refer a patient for a lung cancer screening, visit www.ormc.org. ■ The Orange Regional Thoracic Surgery team COV ER FE AT UR E 1 0 | Mid Hudson MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M