News Room - Press Releases

News Release
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Lynne B. Zultanky, MSRT
Media Relations Manager (757) 889-5413
Lynn_zultanky@bshsi.com

Portsmouth, Va. (April 14, 2006) In 2005, according to the American Cancer Society, 172,570 new cases of lung cancer was expected. Lung cancer is believed to develop over a period of many years, does not cause symptoms when it first develops, and is closely linked to smoking.  Like most cancers, the patient's survival rate is greatly improved when the cancer is caught at its earliest stage.  Until now, there haven't been any reliable tests to screen for lung cancer. 

The Bon Secours Maryview Lung and Chest Program is now offering lung cancer screenings, to assist in the early detection of lung cancer.   The screening is available for smokers and ex-smokers over age 60 with a history of smoking approximately a pack a day for ten or more years.   Currently insurance carriers do not cover screening spiral CT scans.  As a demonstration of it’s commitment to early cancer detection, the medical center has responded by offering a special screening for $250.   For more information about this test and how to schedule, call 889-CARE.

About the Lung and Chest Program ~ The Lung and Chest Program is a multi-specialty physician model, with a team of specialists, the program includes: a thoracic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, pulmonologists, and gasteroenterologists.  Specialists collaborate to improve the efficiency of care for patients with lung, esophageal, thyroid, and thymus lesions. The focus of the program is to reduce delays in diagnosis and provide coordinated care.

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Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System is a leading health care organization known for providing care for the whole person with grace and clinical distinction. Bon Secours brings together a network of hospitals, primary care practices, ambulatory care sites and continuing care facilities to provide quality health care services to the residents of Hampton Roads. Bon Secours, which employs more than 4,500, includes: Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, Bon Secours Maryview Nursing Care Center and St. Francis Nursing Center.