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Community Corner

Lahey Health Raises Awareness about Lung Cancer in Peabody, Gloucester; Encourages Veterans to get Screened

To address the increased risk of lung cancer among our veterans, Lahey health is inviting local veterans to learn about the life-saving benefits of low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer at Lahey Medical Center, Peabody and Addison Gilbert Hospital on November 11. Hospital staff will provide information and assist veterans in completing a questionnaire to determine their eligibility for Lahey Health's free low-dose CT screening program. Veterans meeting the criteria will be able to schedule screenings onsite.

Many veterans are at a 25-to-50 percent higher risk for lung cancer than civilians because of occupational exposure to carcinogens and a higher prevalence of tobacco use among military personnel. Almost all soldiers in Vietnam smoked and continues to do so after the war, increasing their risk of the disease. However, according to the National Lung Screening Trial, low-dose CT lung screenings could prevent at least one in five lung cancer deaths and save 12,000 lives every year.

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center began its free low-dose CT lung screening program in January 2012. Beverly Hospital and Addison Gilbert Hospital began offering screenings to qualifying high-risk patients this November.

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