Parkridge Hospital honors November with Lung Cancer Awareness

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Parkridge Medical Center is stressing throughout November of the importance of detecting Lung Cancer. 

 “We try to do educational events with patients, get words out to offices, just letting them know. Encourage lung cancer screenings for patients,” said Kelsey Fox, Oncology Nurse Navigator,  Parkridge Medical Center

 Health experts are spreading awareness about Lung Cancer to improve survival rates.

 Fox considers the best way to find lung cancer is early detection. 

 “The earlier that lung cancer is found, if a patient has lung cancer, the more likely that treatment will be successful. So the earlier that we can find it, the better,’ said Fox. 

 According to Parkridge, Lung Cancer is the deadliest cancer in the United States. 

 Fox says there are many causes to Lung Cancer. 

 “The number one being tobacco use. So smoking usually, but there can be other causes, occupational exposures, genetics, things like that, but primarily tobacco use,” said Fox. 

 But, in order for folks to lower the chance of Lung Cancer, 

 Fox encourages folks to consult with their doctor. 

 “Anyone who is affiliated with a physician, they can reach out to their physician and there are a lot of resources out there to be able to quit smoking. There are medications that they can use different programs, they can be part of. So there are lots of resources out there so we encourage patients to reach out to their physicians,” Fox concluded.