Awareness and Early Detection
Sequoia is proud to partner with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation to establish the Sequoia Hospital Lung Cancer Early Detection program. Screening for lung cancer may improve the odds for catching the number one cancer killer early—when it’s most treatable.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in this country. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be approximately 215,020 new cases of lung cancer in the United States in 2008, and approximately 161,840 people will die of the disease. More people die of lung cancer than of breast, prostate, colon, liver, melanoma, and kidney cancers combined. Lung cancer, not breast cancer, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in woman.
Over 50% of new lung cancer cases will be diagnosed at a very late stage and only 5% of them will live for 5 years. Additionally, approximately 60% of currently diagnosed lung cancer cases occur in former or never smokers. Lung cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the lung. Because lung cancer often spreads beyond the lungs before it causes symptoms, a good screening test to find lung cancer early could save many lives. The hope of the lung cancer early detection program is to prolong survival.
The Sequoia Hospital Lung Cancer program, in a unique collaboration with physicians from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center, offers Bay Area lung cancer patients a comprehensive, dedicated multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer treatment. Already on the forefront of lung cancer care, Sequoia’s new Lung Cancer Early Detection program is a promising, new initiative that may advance the battle against lung cancer, the nation’s leading cause of cancer deaths. The program is the brainchild of lung cancer survivor Bonnie Addario and is being funded by the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, a large and innovative philanthropic organization devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer.
“The earlier you catch any cancer, the better chance you have of a cure or being able to better manage the cancer and to live longer,” says Addario, who joined lung cancer experts, medical oncologist Fred Marcus, MD, and pulmonologist Melissa Lim, MD, to spearhead the program.
Sequoia’s Lung Cancer Early Detection program is a participating member of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), administered by the Weill College of Medicine of Cornell University. I-ELCAP is designed specifically for lung cancer screening in patients who do not have symptoms but may meet other qualifying criteria. Patients are age 40 and over, typically with a history of smoking or second hand smoke exposure. Patients who do not qualify for I-ELCAP, or do not want to participate in the trial, will be referred to Sequoia-based lung cancer specialists for a consult. This clinical pathway reflects Sequoia’s unique, comprehensive approach to lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sequoia’s Lung Cancer program is overseen by dedicated program coordinator Kate Tully, R.N., BSN., who provides individual patient education and support.
"With the availability of today's sophisticated, low-dose CT imaging, which is more sensitive than chest X-rays, we hope for improved ability to dtect early-stage cancer," adds Dr. Marcus, emphasizing that early detection complements Sequoia's stellar Lung Cancer program. "Sequoia already stands out as a lung cancer center in this community and we continue to take pride in partnering with faculty from the world-renowned UCSF Medical Center lung cancer program to bring university-level care to this community hospital."
Sequoia is one of 50 institutions worldwide participating in I-ELCAP, the first research study of its kind evaluating the effectiveness of screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT scanning. In addition to revealing the condition of the lungs, the results include the Coronary Artery Calcification score - a marker of heart health. Scans are not free. The cost of a low-dose CT scan is $399, a significantly reduced rate.
Please contact Kate Tully R.N., B.S.N., program coordinator, at (650) 367-LUNG (5864) with any questions regarding the Lung Cancer Early Detection program or to schedule an appointment.
To learn more about lung cancer screening and early detection, please visit:
• ACS
• Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
If you are a smoker and would like to quit, we recommend calling the following free stop smoking services: Breathe California at (650) 994-1903 or 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer, the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation works with a diverse group of physicians, organizations and individuals to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change through research, education, early detection, prevention, and treatment.
At the time of Bonnie J. Addario’s lung cancer diagnosis she read an article in a local paper about innovative new lung cancer treatments at Sequoia Hospital. She called the hospital for more information and within hours, Dr. Melissa Lim called her back. Through Sequoia and its comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer treatment, Bonnie was able to connect with the very best team of doctors: Drs. David Jablons, Melissa Lim and Fred Marcus . . . the dream team that ultimately saved her life. If Bonnie’s surgery hadn't been so complex - her tumor was wrapped around her aorta - she would have stayed at Sequoia Hospital, which is where she and her family have been going for many years. Because her tumor had invaded her heart, Bonnie had surgery at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center by Dr. Jablons. Her surgery lasted 10 hours. Following recovery from surgery, Bonnie returned to Sequoia for her continued care and treatment. Bonnie considers herself very fortunate to have the very best doctors and survive the dreadful diagnosis of lung cancer. Bonnie feels as though she survived for a meaningful reason and she has dedicated her life to making early detection of lung cancer a reality for as many people as possible, so they too can have a much better chance of surviving lung cancer.
Sequoia Hospital is partnering with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation on a local level to assist them in ultimately achieving their larger goals of establishing multiple early detection sites across the nation. Today, Bonnie sits on the Sequoia Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.
http://www.lungcancerfoundation.org/
Bonnie J. Addario and two of her grandchildren.
