Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month is a time to spotlight the challenges and advancements in managing and preventing one of the most common cancers.
While November is Lung Cancer Awareness month, the patient care team on the Chest Unit at St. Mary’s General Hospital knows the importance of raising awareness about this common – and often misunderstood – cancer year round.
For example, did you know that lung cancer doesn’t just happen to smokers? Or that it is not only prevalent in older adults? Lung cancer doesn’t discriminate, anyone can be diagnosed. And, while most lung cancer cases are still diagnosed in older adults, the team at St. Mary’s acknowledges a growing trend among younger patients, likely influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors. This trend reinforces the importance of early detection, health promotion, and resilience in facing challenging diagnoses.
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the lungs which can spread and destroy nearby tissue in the body. The Chest Unit’s interdisciplinary team at St. Mary’s play a vital role in supporting the community and patients affected by lung cancer.
From initial diagnosis to post-operative care, the team ensures a seamless process that includes diagnostic procedures, staging investigations, symptom management, and treatment coordination with the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre (GRRCC).
St. Mary’s offers a Thoracic Diagnostic Assessment Program for newly diagnosed patients to work with a thoracic surgeon and respirologist to determine next steps in diagnosis and treatment. St. Mary’s also adopts innovative practices, such as the ERAS Program, an enhanced recovery after surgery program, which significantly reduces recovery times from five days to one day for lung surgery patients. This program gets patients moving much quicker by offering procedures that are less invasive due to smaller incisions and less pain relievers that are harmful to the body.
Prevention is a key aspect of the Interdisciplinary team’s work. In addition to smoking cessation, Nurse Practitioner Sean Winter and Resource Nurse Therese Fournier at St. Mary’s promote awareness about other lung cancer risk factors, including environmental exposures to radon, asbestos, and chemicals, as well as working environments in industries like farming and construction. Therese Fournier says, “genetic factors play a large role as well, if cancer exists in your family history, it’s important to be aware of potential warning signs and seek treatment in a timely manner.”
Going for regular health screenings help detect potential cancer cells early and maintain a strong relationship with primary care providers for appropriate monitoring and preventive care.
With a focus on patient-centered care, prevention, and collaboration, St. Mary’s continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of lung cancer patients and the broader community during and beyond Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
For more information on lung cancer awareness:
We’re proud to highlight our team! We asked a couple of our team members what they would avoid for healthier lungs (their own opinions). See what Sean Winter, Nurse Practitioner in Respirology and Therese Fournier, Resource Nurse had to say.
