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By Jennifer M. Jenkins, DO – Family Medicine
The second leading cancer in both men and women is LUNG CANCER. According to the American Cancer Society’s Statistics, there will be 228,150 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed and 142,670 deaths from lung cancer this year alone. Despite these grim statistics, nearly 430,000 people have at some point in their lives been diagnosed with lung cancer, and yet they are alive, well, and cancer free. This is predominantly because their cancers were caught early. We now have the ability to help find these early cancers in high risk patients with a low dose screening CAT scan.
The three main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and lung carcinoid cancer.
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type, affecting nearly 85% of those with lung cancer. Fortunately, this form of carcinoma usually grows at a slower rate. There are three subsets of NSCLC called Squamous, adenocarcinoma, and large cell.
• Small Cell or Oat Cell Cancer affects nearly 10% of the lung cancer population. This type of lung cancer is more aggressive than NSCLC and tends to spread more rapidly.
• Lung Carcinoid affects about 5% of those with lung cancer. It grows very slowly and rarely spreads.
Screening via a CT scan of the chest
Lung cancer screenings are very important for smokers and former smokers, especially those 55-80 years of age who are still smoking or have quit smoking less than 15 years ago. This is due to the prevalence of lung cancer seen in this population. Research suggests that screening a high-risk population for lung cancer can drastically reduce the number of mortalities from this disease.
Low dose CT scans are advantageous in identifying and screening for lung cancers. If found in the early stages, the treatment options and outcomes are much more successful. Because low dose CT scans can detect very small masses in the lungs, by detecting cancerous tumors at an early stage, an individual’s survival rate may be significantly improved.
It is important to note, that lung cancer can affect those who have not smoked. Non-smokers that have lung cancer are usually identified as those that have been exposed to environmental carcinogens like, cleaning products, diesel exhaust, radon gas, asbestos or those with genetic mutations. Therefore, if you have symptoms of lung cancer such as unexplained coughing, weight loss, shortness of breath or chest pain please discuss this with your doctor.
Don’t wait! Talk to your physician about getting your lung cancer screening.
Jennifer M. Jenkins, DO
Family Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Jenkins is a board-certified family medicine physician. She completed her undergraduate degree in chemistry at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Jenkins then earned her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia. She continued her medical education by completing a family medicine residency at Heritage Valley Health System in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Jenkins provides physicals for patients 5 years old and up including women’s health care. She treats chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, and
high blood pressure. Additionally, Dr. Jenkins performs Medicare wellness visits and will provide advice on disease prevention and cancer screening. She is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
BayCare Medical Group
BayCare is committed to the continuing and comprehensive care of you and your family. Our primary care offices are located throughout the Tampa Bay region, so you’re never far from the care you need. Our primary care physicians offer doctor-patient relationships built on trust, commitment and expert care.
BayCare Medical Group primary care medicine focuses on prevention and treatment of childhood, adolescent, and adult diseases. Primary Care encompasses family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatric physicians, who offer the first point of contact for a patient with an undiagnosed health concern. BayCare Medical Group physicians provide preventative medicine, yearly physicals and care for a variety of health conditions. Our physicians are committed to providing you and your family with a complete and seamless continuum of care.
Some of the services provided by our primary care physicians include:
• Adult annual exams
• Comprehensive Family Care
• Diabetes care
• Health screenings
• Hypertension care
• Immunizations
• Routine gynecological care
• Senior health
• School and sports physicals
• Specialty referrals
• Well/sick visits
• Weight management/weight loss
Bay Care Medical Group
(727) 372-0096
DrJenniferJenkins.org
8601 Easthaven Court
New Port Richey, FL 34655