TULSA, Okla. — On Tuesday, Hillcrest Medical Center displayed new advanced technology in a thoracic oncology mobile experience aimed at educating patients on the advancements made in diagnosing and treating lung cancer.
“Hillcrest just got named one of the top six facilities in the United States to become a comprehensive thoracic oncology program,” said Dr. Rachael Pattison, Pulmonary Medical Director for Utica Park Clinic. “That also includes the Pulmonary Center, so along with that, the reason we got that [distinction] is because we do have this new technology, these robotic systems where we’re diagnosing lung cancer early and saving lives that way. People will be coming here as a destination center to learn and train.”
Dr. Pattison explained thoracic oncology includes any type of cancer located in the chest, such as cancers related to the lungs and lymph nodes.
She said the goal is for this new technology to allow doctors to diagnose these types of cancers, especially lung cancer, in the early stages.
“We’re really focusing on creating a stage shift. The majority of lung cancers are diagnosed at Stage 4 and that is not a good stage to be. We want to shift that to Stage 1. That’s our goal. In the next five years, I think we’re going to see a big change in those numbers.”
One way they’re accomplishing this is by using these new tools to accelerate the diagnosis process.
“It’s much faster. Right now we know, time of when you get that scan as a patient, there’s often a wait of two to three months before you’re biopsied, diagnosed and treated and we’re changing that. That’s why the rate of lung cancer is so high and the death rate is so high…With our comprehensive thoracic oncology program we have here, they get their scan, they’re immediately referred to our pulmonary clinic, they see me. Depending on the scan, the workup, we also have a very close by thoracic surgeon and a very close oncology team as well. We’re all working together in addition to radiation oncology, so we have the comprehensive site.”
According to Dr. Pattison, lung cancer takes more lives than any other type of cancer, including prostate, breast and colon combined. That’s why it’s so important to get preventative screenings like the ones offered at Hillcrest.
“It is important to note that lung cancer is very quiet. When you have it, you don’t know you have it until, behind the scenes, it quietly grows and then before you know it, that’s when you get the worsening cough and weight loss.”
Dr. Pattison highlighted people who have been smokers for a significant amount of time may qualify for a free preventative screening.
“If you’re been a smoker, you’ve smoked [at all] in your life, just consider going back and seeing is it 20 years? Is it 30 years? Do I qualify for a screening scan? The same way you get a colonoscopy or a pap smear or a mammogram. Now we do that for lung cancer, specifically for smokers.”
These machines aim to make the biopsy process as quick and efficient as possible for patients.
“These are the least invasive options. Like I said, they come in, biopsy, go home the same day. What I think we need to focus on is when people come in, the majority of people with lung cancer, they’re in Stage 4. They’re short of breath, they’re losing weight, having some pretty bad symptoms. I never want to see a patient get to that. I want them to come see me early. Let me get you biopsied, diagnosed and let’s get you treated while we have a chance to cure you.”
To learn more about the lung cancer screenings offered by Hillcrest, click here.
To learn more about Hillcrest’s lung center, click here.
