Dr. Parul Chaudhuri of Baptist Health Medical Group Hematology & Oncology was the keynote speaker for this month’s Southern Kentucky Chamber meeting.
In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Chaudhuri urged the community to get their yearly mammography or yearly CT scan.
“In medicine and oncology, we think that the first step is the most challenging which requires the greatest strength,” she said.
“Whether it be making an appointment to see a physician, or get a CT scan, or a mammogram.”
There has been a 20% reduction in mortality rates when an individual takes the first step in getting a yearly low-dose CT scan or yearly mammography, according to Chaudhuri.
“Due to early detection from [these strategies], this has led to a decrease in cancer-related deaths,” she added.
A yearly mammogram can be done for any woman above the age of 40, while a low-dose CT scan can be done for high-risk patients, which is anyone above the age of 50 who has greater than 20 years of smoking history who have quit within the last 15 years or is currently smoking.
Nearly 250,000 new cases of lung cancer have been detected just this year in the United States alone. While Approximately 150,000 deaths have occurred annually due to lung cancer.
“What better time to have these conversations?,” she asked. “Reach out to your family members, loved ones, or even to yourself and challenge your inner strength. Conquer your fear.”
For more information or to schedule your appointment, call Baptist Health Corbin at 606-523-1934.
Samantha Walden, Staff Writer at The Kentucky Daily