Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States, making early stage

detection crucial to determining appropriate and successful treatment and bringing it to remission. Saint Peter’s University Hospital recently became the first hospital in Middlesex County to provide low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung

screening, an effective screening tool for detecting lung disease in those most at risk of developing it.

“The early detection of lung cancer is key to treating this deadly

disease,” says Douglas Frenia, MD, the pulmonologist who heads the hospital’s new Healthy Lung Screening Program. “Making the diagnosis at an early stage allows for a greater variety of treatment options and an improved chance for a cure.”

How It Is Done

The screening is recommended for patients who meet the following criteria: • Age 55-74 • 30-pack-a-year history of smoking • 1 pack/day for 30 years • 2 pack/day for 15 years • Current smoker or previous smoker who has quit within the past 15 years • No previous diagnosis of lung cancer

At Saint Peter’s the latest technology makes it possible to provide the lowest dose scan available with levels of almost 40 percent lower than other scanning technology. The hospital’s new state-of-the-art low-dose GE VCT scanner features advanced computer software that produces high resolution images while reducing radiation dosage. The advantages of using this technology are obvious – the low-dose CT screening enables physicians to see the inside of the human body in such sharp focus that doctors are able to diagnose the disease at its earliest stages, increasing a patient’s

chances for curative treat-ment and long-term survival.

“Low dose CT lung screening is quick and easy for the patient,” says Nancy Pingitore, Registered Radiation

Therapy Technologist (RTT), the program’s patient navigator. “The radiation exposure is only about 10 percent of that for a conventional CT scan.”

Patients make the appointment with the patient navigator. Upon arrival on the day of the screening, a CT technologist escorts the patient to the room where the scanner is housed. The scan only takes a few minutes, and as is customary during such a diagnostic test, patients are asked to lie still and sometimes hold their breath as the machine captures images. During the scan, the CT technologist remains steps away, monitoring the scan through a window, talking to the patient via an intercom system.

Once the scan is completed and read, results are provided to the patient and to the patient’s primary care physician. The patient navigator remains a guide throughout the process and coordinates all the recommended steps made by Saint Peter’s expert panel of physicians who can provide follow-up care and recommendations specific to the patient’s healthcare needs.

Along with Dr. Frenia and Pingitore, the program team includes a nurse practitioner, a thoracic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, radiologist, pathologist, and breast surgeon.

Why Is the Scan Recommended?

Usually symptoms of lung cancer do not appear until the disease is already in an advanced, non-curable stage. Even when symptoms of lung cancer do appear, many people may mistake them for other problems, such as a respiratory infection or the long-term effects from smoking. This may delay the diagnosis.

Cancer is the deadliest disease in the United States, second only to heart disease. Among cancers, the disease of the lungs is the leading cause of death among men and women. Until now, however, screenings were recommended for cancers such as breast, colon and prostate, making it difficult to diagnose lung cancer in its early stages when treatment options are often best.

Because there has been a significant increase in lung cancer for women, mostly related to smoking, the program is a multidisciplinary collaboration that includes the Saint Peter’s Breast Center. As part of the collaboration, a research study -

“Low-Dose Computed Tomography (CT) Screening for Women who are at High Risk for Lung Cancer” - will focus on evaluating women who are at high risk for developing lung cancer over their lifetime.

The National Lung Screening Trial of the National Cancer Institute reported that one life among those of every 320 high-risk persons screened was saved using low-dose CT scanning over a two-year period, resulting in a 20 percent reduction in the lung-cancer-specific mortality rate when compared to diagnosis as a result of chest X-rays. The study included more than 50,000 people aged 55 to 74 who were current or former smokers and were in fairly good health. People in the study got either three LDCT scans or three chest X-rays, each a year apart, to look for abnormal areas in the lungs that might be cancer.

Based on the results of the trial, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Cancer Society issued recom-mendations calling for high-risk individuals to undergo annual low-dose CT screening.

Cost

Most private insurers and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services do not currently reimburse for low-dose CT screening. Saint Peter’s, however, charges a nominal rate of $99 per screening.

“At Saint Peter’s our comprehensive approach to lung care ensures that each patient receives the support, expertise and services to meet their unique needs, including smoking cessation coordination, rehabilitation services and cutting-edge treatment options,” says Dr. Frenia.

For more information, questions or to participate in our Healthy Lung Screening Program contact Nancy Pingitore, RTT, patient navigator, at 732-339-7747. Screenings may be scheduled between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR january 2014

a LISTInG OF PrOGraMS OFFErED THIS MOnTH Can BE FOunD On THE rEVErSE SIDE.

nEED a DOCTOr? TO FInD a SaInT PETEr’S PHySICIan, CaLL 1-855-SP-My-DOC (1-855-776-9362).

Douglas Frenia, MD

Saint Peter’s Offers Low-Dose CT Scans of Lungs

– First Hospital in Middlesex County with Latest Technology –

Nancy Pingitore, RTT

Visit saintpetershcs.com/lungassessment

to learn about lung cancer risks.

SuPPOrT GrOuPSautism Family Support GroupJANUARY 12, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM877-886-9462

alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group JANUARY 14, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMSaint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Rachel Kallish, CSW Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-655-6853

Bariatric Surgery Support GroupJANUARY 9, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Lisa Lapinski, RD 732-745-8600, x8159

Bereavement Support GroupJANUARY 2 & 16, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM732-745-8565

Bereavement Support GroupJANUARY 7 & 21, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMFor spouses and significant others 55 and older. Saint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipSean O’Brien, MSW, LSWLisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-409-1363, option 5

Caregivers Support Group/MonroeJANUARY 9, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PMSaint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipStephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP609-655-2220

SHarE Support Group(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)JANUARY 9, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIrina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW 732-745-8522

CanCEr SErVICES The American Cancer Society offers daily information and support to cancer patients and their families. Call 1-800-227-2345 to talk to a cancer information specialist 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week or visit us online at www.cancer.org.

Breast Cancer Support GroupJANUARY 6 & 20, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMGuest speaker and open discussion.Registration required.Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW732-235-7011

Gynecologic Cancer Support GroupJANUARY 14, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New Jersey732-235-6792

Latina Women with Cancer Support Group JANUARY 11, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish. Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

Living with Cancer Support GroupJANUARY 8 & 22, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New JerseyBarbara Hale, LCSW732-235-7557

COMMunITy MOBILE HEaLTH SErVICES For more information about screenings and educational programs, or the CMHS corporate flu shot program, please call 732-745-8600, x8903. Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings JANUARY 10, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM New Brunswick Senior Center, New Brunswick

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings JANUARY 10, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick

Bone Density Screening JANUARY 28, 12:30 PM Spotswood Office on Aging, Spotswood

FrEE COMMunITy LECTurESBack Pain and Spinal Stenosis JANUARY 13, 1:00 PM Presenter: Sang Song, MD Rossmoor Adult Community, Monroe Township. Residents only.

How to Keep your Mind Sharp JANUARY 13, 2:00 PM Presenter: Michele Lardieri, MBA, CALA, Program Director, Saint Peter’s Adult Day Center The Ponds Adult Community. Residents only.

Dining Out: Dos and Don’ts JANUARY 14, 1:30 PM Presenter: Caryn Alter, RD Nutritionist, Adult Day Center, Monroe Township. Resident only.

DIaBETES EDuCaTIOnChildren’s Insulin Pump GroupJANUARY 14, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Donna Dziedzic, RN, MSN, CDE 732-745-8600, x8751. Call for more information.

Diabetes Education and Support Group/MonroeJANUARY 28, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Saint Peter’s Adult Day Center, Monroe Township. Contact: Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW, Therese Wyman, RD, CDE, at 609-409-1363.

Diabetes Self-Management Education HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYSRegistration and doctor’s prescription required.732-745-6667

Gestational Diabetes Self-Management ClassHELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYSRegistration and a doctor’s prescription required. 732-745-6667

ParEnT EDuCaTIOnFor information, fees and registration, call Parent Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

Baby Care JANUARY 4, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

JANUARY 6, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

JANUARY 13, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Breastfeeding ClassJANUARY 25, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Breastfeeding Support GroupJANUARY 3, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM732-745-8600, x8820

Infant Massage JANUARY 8, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Marvelous Multiples JANUARY 27, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

new Daddy ClassJANUARY 27, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

new Mom Support GroupJANUARY 3, NOON – 1:00 PMLight lunch will be served at noon. Registration required.

Postnatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)HELD FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Registration required.

Prenatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)HELD WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Registration required.

Prepared Childbirth ClassesMONDAYS, THURSDAYS, OR ALL-DAY SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH WEEKENDSRegistration required.

Sibling Class JANUARY 25, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen | State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center

Regional medical campus of Drexel University College of Medicine | Affiliate of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

january 2014

All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.

OPEn HOuSE BLOODLESS MEDICInE anD SurGEry PrOGraMWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 86:30 PM - 8:00 PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Learn about our program and meet the staff who will explain options available for patients who opt not to have blood transfusions during surgery and treatment. Call 732-339-7869 for more information.

BarIaTrIC WEIGHT LOSS SEMInar THURSDAY, JANUARY 97:15 PM - 9:30 PM For more information, and to register, call Lisa Lapinski at 732-745-8600, x8159.

jOInT WOrSHIP CELEBraTInG Our ParTnErSHIP: SaInT PETEr’S HEaLTHCarE SySTEM anD FIrST BaPTIST CHurCH OF LInCOLn GarDEnSSUNDAY, JANUARY 1211:00 AM First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset Street, Franklin. Call 732-745-8551 for more information.

MarTIn LuTHEr KInG annuaL InTErFaITH CELEBraTIOnWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 221:00 PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center. Call 732-745-8551 for more information.

EMS EDuCaTIOn SErIESTHURSDAY, JANUARY 307:00 PM TOPIC: WINTER EMERgENCIES Free; refreshments served. CEU credits. Call 908-238-3254 to register.

annuaL FaSHIOn SHOWSATURDAY, MARCH 22Pines Manor, Edison All proceeds benefit The Breast Center at Saint Peter’s.

annuaL GaLaSaInT PETEr’S HEaLTHCarE SySTEMSATURDAY, MARCH 29The Heldrich, New Brunswick

SPECIAL EVENTS

SaVE THE DaTE

annOunCInG

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 | 732-745-8600 | 800-269-7508 | www.saintpetershcs.com

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other

information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

Central Jersey Health and Life, published quaterly, features stories about Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. To subscribe, call 201-573-5541.

Individuals who receive flu shots at Walgreens’ pharmacies will also receive free health education provided by the Saint Peter’s Community Mobile Health Services staff.

In partnership with Rutgers, The State University of

New Jersey, Saint Peter’s is participating in the New

Brunswick Family Solutions Program, which offers free,

confidential counseling to the families of lesbian, gay, bisexual

and transgender youth.

Call 732-910-9901 for more information.