Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer hosted a local observance of the national Shine A Light on Lung Cancer campaign Nov. 13 that was attended by members of the public, hospital staff and highlighted by physicians, who spoke on how to prevent and treat the disease. Cancer survivor Gloria Fantin, of Hammond, inspired the group with her story of how she came to recognize and deal with her problem and how it was solved.
Among program speakers were Cindy Duran (foreground-left), director of the hospital’s oncology center; and Robert Prock, MD (seated next to Duran), oncology center medical director. He and other speakers, including Don Dumont, MD; and Eias Jweied, MD, stressed how early detection and treatment are key to treating lung cancer and pointed out that smoking is its leading cause. Jweied also supported the growing use of computerized tomography (CAT scans) during routine patient examinations to help with early detection and touted Franciscan Alliance’s offering of lung cancer screening programs.
Josef Dou, hospital director of mission and spiritual services, led the group in a moment of reflection that included a Shine A Light ceremony, during which small flashlights were used to help illuminate the cause and remember cancer victims and survivors. For more information on the Franciscan Alliance lung screening program, or to make an appointment, call (855) 472-1659, or visit: FranciscanAlliance.org/cancer. For more information on the Shine A Light campaign, call (800) 298-2436, or visit shinealightonlungcancer.org.