St. John’s Hospitals Recognize November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November serves as gentle reminder to detect lung cancer at its earliest stage, often before symptoms develop

OXNARD, CA – (November 1, 2019) – St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), which are Dignity Health hospitals, are pleased to offer a proactive lung cancer screening program to those with a high risk of developing lung cancer, the number one cancer killer in the United States.  

In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, St. John’s Hospitals are urging community members to determine whether they are a candidate for our lung cancer screening program, which is now covered by most insurance providers. A lung cancer screening could be life-saving and proactive screenings can detect early signs of lung cancer, when treatment options have the greatest chance of success.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women worldwide, however, it is the only cancer not subject to routine screening,” said Alicia Zaragoza, Oncology Nurse Navigator at SJRMC and SJPVH. “With our screening program, we can save the lives of patients at high risk for lung cancer through early detection. We want to emphasize the importance of early screening during the month of November, which is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, but also that this screening is important year-round.”

A large study conducted by the National Cancer Institute proved that screening people at high risk for developing lung cancer with low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans of the chest, reduced mortality from lung cancer by 20%. Early detection can save lives, and that is why St. John’s Hospitals has developed a screening program for those deemed at high risk for lung cancer. 

If an individual is deemed at risk, the option to meet with our oncology nurse navigator will be recommended and a low-dose CT or CAT scans will be ordered. The screening, which only takes minutes to complete, produces detailed images of the lungs and other structures inside the chest. If any abnormalities are present, the scan will be reviewed by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of physicians that specialize in the treatment and diagnosis of lung cancer. Once reviewed, our physicians will discuss options for further evaluation and treatment with you and your primary care physician, if necessary.

St. John’s Hospitals’ Lung Cancer Program brings together a team of specially trained, local physicians, surgeons, and nurses to work closely with patients and with each other throughout the entire journey. The lung cancer screening program at St. John’s Hospitals was created to diagnose patients at a treatable stage, before symptoms develop. For questions about the program, or to find out if you are a candidate, please call (866) 710-9848.

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About Dignity Health St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.