Atlantic General Hospital and the Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center have
multiple programs in place for prevention education and early screening
to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Lung Cancer Screening at AGH
The lung cancer death rate of Maryland residents has been falling. It’s
currently lower than the nation. Yet, the death rate of Worcester County
residents continues to be higher than those of both the state of Maryland
and the United States.
Discovering and diagnosing cancer early is the goal with all cancer types,
which is why screening for specific types of cancer before patients have
any symptoms of their cancer is so vital. The United States Preventative
Services Task Force recommends an annual screening for lung cancer with
low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), for those patients at greatest risk
of developing lung cancer.
Our goal is to screen those community members who are at the greatest risk
and to identify the lung cancer at an early stage so that it can be successfully
treated, and thus decrease the number of Worcester County residents dying
from lung cancer. The test used to detect lung cancer is low-dose computed
tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT). In this test, an
x-ray machine scans the body and uses low doses of radiation to make a
series of detailed pictures of the lungs.
These pictures are then reviewed by a radiologist and assigned to a risk
category. The risk category for each lung screening patient is communicated
directly to the patient’s primary care provider as well as our lung
cancer screening coordinator. This follow up process ensures that each
patient and their provider are aware of their risk for lung cancer and
have an appropriate follow up plan.
Late in 2014, AGH began the lung cancer screening program, and at the end
of that year, 88% of the patients diagnosed with lung cancer were diagnosed
at the most advanced stage. That percentage decreased to 65% at the end
of 2015, and then decreased again at the end of 2016 to only 40% of lung
cancer patients being diagnosed at the most advanced stage.
While the LDCT program at AGH is still a young program, with only three
years of patient data, we are hopeful that this screening tool will help
us to diagnose lung cancer patients at an earlier stage. Because this
early detection tool is an important addition to our community, we have
decided to expand the number of days per month that we offer this lung
screening.
In 2017, 271 patients participated in low-dose CT screening for lung cancer
and continue to be followed at appropriate intervals. Those patients diagnosed
with lung cancer as a result of being screened were diagnosed at an earlier
stage with a much better prognosis.
Melanoma Prevention
Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is rising in Maryland;
it is the third fastest rising cancer in our state. Even worse, Worcester
County has the highest rate of new melanoma diagnoses in Maryland. It
is almost
double the national average.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ultraviolet
(UV) exposure causes more than 90% of melanoma in the US. They recommend
the use of effective health education and outreach to encourage populations
to reduce UV radiation exposure and increase sun protection. These measures
are found to be one of the best ways to prevent the disease.
Dermascan is an awareness tool Atlantic General uses in the community that
shows the participant sun damage on his or her face that cannot be seen
with the naked eye. It is a specially designed, curtained box with a black
light and a mirror inside so the person can see his or her own face. The
outreach provider can look from the other side and explain to the participant
what they are seeing and point out what might be a result of exposure
to the sun.
The participant is asked before viewing his or her face in the Dermascan,
“How often do you currently use sunscreen?” Then, after looking
in the Dermascan box and receiving education about sun damage, they are
asked, “After looking at your skin, how often do you plan to use
sunscreen?” Respondents could choose from Never, Sometimes and Always.
It is intended there will be a verbal intent of a behavior change/improvement
(if one is needed).
Data Sources:
Incidence data are provided by the
National Program of Cancer Registries Cancer Surveillance System (NPCR-CSS), Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and by the National Cancer Institute's
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.