Blake cited for lung cancer care

HCA Florida Blake Hospital, in Bradenton,

has been named a Center of Excellence by GO2 for Lung Cancer for its ongoing commitment to providing the Manatee County community with patient-centered, evidence-based lung cancer care.

An estimated 237,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, and while it remains the leading cause of cancer deaths, lung cancer survival rates are growing at a rapid pace thanks to the availability of new, groundbreaking treatments.

GO2 Centers of Excellence in lung cancer care are committed to the principles of patient-centered communication and decision making across the entire care pathway. Centers of Excellence demonstrate access to standard cancer services within medical, radiation, surgical oncology and pathology; follow practice standards based on evidence, expert consensus and clinical guidelines; and engage team-based mechanisms for multidisciplinary input to guide care and treatment recommendations and inform shared decision making.

In addition to receiving this newly awarded designation as a Center of Excellence in Lung Cancer Care, HCA Florida Blake Hospital is also recognized by GO2 as a Center of Excellence in Lung Cancer Screening, for implementing a structured low-dose CT screening program that adheres to NCCN, USPST or CMS criteria and uses a standardized process to manage patient followthrough.

“Lung cancer does not show symptoms in its early stages,” said thoracic surgeon, Dr. Robert Ferguson. “By the time symptoms begin, the cancer can be harder to treat. I recommend anyone over the age of 50 get a lung cancer screening, especially if you are or were a smoker.”

To get a low-dose CT scan, people over the age of 50 are encouraged to speak with their primary care physician or call an HCA Florida Healthcare lung cancer screening coordinator at 941342-8031.