Baptist Health Paducah to host lung cancer vigil Nov 17

Baptist Health Paducah will join more than 200 communities across the country to host "Shine a Light on Lung Cancer" at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Larry Barton Atrium of Medical Park 2.

Baptist Health Paducah will join more than 200 communities across the country to host “Shine a Light on Lung Cancer” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Larry Barton Atrium of Medical Park 2.

<The free event is part of a national campaign sponsored by the Lung Cancer Alliance to bring hope, inspiration and support to the lung cancer community. Lung cancer is the most common cancer treated at Baptist Health Paducah, as well as the most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. Lung cancer causes more death than the next three most common cancers (colon, breast, prostate) combined, according to the American Lung Association.

Speakers will be cardiothoracic surgeon Nicholas Lopez, MD, and Paducah businessman BA Hamilton, who is battling lung and liver cancer. Special music will be brought by employees Veretta Price and Kristen Ellenberger, both who work in Outpatient Chemotherapy. Chaplain Joel Jackson will be the emcee and read the names of people who have died or suffer from lung cancer.

Baptist Health Paducah has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths.

Medicare and insurance now covers low-dose CT lung screenings with a doctor’s order. The screening is available to those who meet these criteria:

• 55 to 88 years old (55 to 77 for Medicare)
• 30 pack-year smoker or former smoker who has quit within the past 15 years
• Asymptomatic