Catawba Valley Medical Center announces lung cancer screening program, ups involvement with Great American Smokeout

HICKORY, NC – Nov. 12, 2013 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has announced the launch of a lung cancer screening program designed to help high-risk candidates–current and former heavy smokers between the ages of 55 and 74–determine if they have the disease. CVMC is now offering CT lung screenings for a special introductory offer of $135 at its Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“We know that lung cancer is killing more Americans than any other form of the disease,” said Peggy Messick, RN, BSN, OCN, Disease Prevention Specialist. “Detecting cancer early has proven to increase survival chances by as much as 20 percent, and we hope these reduced cost CT lung screenings will help save lives.”

In addition to the screenings, CVMC has increased its involvement with the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Great American Smokeout. The event takes place Nov. 21 and, according to ACS, is used to encourage “smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

“Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — nearly 1 in every 5 adults.” In addition, the ACS reports “as of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.”

On Nov. 21, people who want to quit smoking can visit CVMC’s Health First Center at Valley Hills Mall and Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with all 10 of the Catawba Valley Family Medicine (CVFM) practices, to get information to help them with their goal. A list of CVFM locations and directions are available at http://www.cvmgonline.com.

The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for people to get information and use the day to try and quit smoking. We hope this gives people a jump on their New Year’s Resolutions and helps them quit permanently in 2014. Our hope is that the additional locations will give more people the opportunity to get the information they need to start quitting,” said Messick.

For more information about quitting smoking, the Great American Smokeout and the CT lung screening, please visit http://www.catawbavalleymedical.org or call 828/732-6065.

About Catawba Valley Medical Center

Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, N.C., is the region’s largest not-for-profit, public healthcare system and serves the community without direct funding from taxes. CVMC provides and promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventive medicine and acute care. CVMC has received three Magnet designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and has been recognized with three Women’s Choice Awards, being named one of America’s Best 100 Hospitals for Patient Experience in 2012 and 2013, a 2013 Best Hospital for Patient Experience in Obstetrics andone of America’s Best Hospitals in Orthopedics in 2013 by WomenCertified®. CVMC received the 2013 QUEST® Award for High-Value Healthcare from Premier, recognizing a reduction in harm, mortality, readmissions and costs, while improving the patient experience and delivering evidence-based care. For more information, please visit http://www.catawbavalleymedical.org.

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