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.