Friday, April 11, 2003
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Friday, April 11, 2003 |
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New cancer tool at Newnan Hospital Each year, the President proclaims April Cancer Control Month to call attention to advances against cancer and rededicate the nation to fighting the disease. In the past decade, increased understanding of all types of cancer and growing awareness of the symptoms and risk factors have helped reduce the number of new cancer cases in the United States. This year Newnan Hospital has a new tool to keep cancer under control. Newnan Hospital recently became the first facility in the region to obtain a Positron Emission Tomography medical imaging system to detect early cancer activity. The high-tech PET scan differs from traditional CAT scans because it is better able to detect much smaller, microscopic amounts of cancer cells. PET scans are currently the most effective way to check for cancer recurrences. Cancers for which PET is considered particularly effective include lung, head and neck, colorectal, esophageal, lymphoma, melanoma,breast, thyroid, cervical, pancreatic, and brain as well as otherless-frequently-occurring cancers. The PET scan also accurately characterizes a tumor as benign or malignant, which allows patients to avoid unnecessary surgical biopsies. "Early detection and preventative treatment remain the best weapons we have in the battle against cancer," said Don Character, director of radiology at Newnan Hospital. "Advancements in technology, like this new equipment,canhelp us make an earlier diagnosis and save lives." Cancer Control Month highlights prevention, detection, and treatment of all cancers as well as support to cancer patients, their families and their caregivers. Cancer cases and death rates have declined slightly but steadily in the United States; the 5-year survival rate has improved for all cancers; and more than 8.5 million Americans are now cancer survivors. Talk to your doctor to find out more about early screenings or visit www.cancer.org.
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