Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
When it comes to diagnosing and treating lung nodules and cancers, you and your lungs couldn’t be in better hands.
Our experts at WakeMed include pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, hematologists and medical oncologists, respiratory therapists, pulmonary therapists, tobacco cessation experts, nurse navigators and radiologists from Raleigh Radiology. All here to guide you in receiving appropriate care including diagnostic tests, best course of treatment and interventions, and support and resources no matter what stage of care you need.
Services & Resources Available for You
Imaging Services
WakeMed Imaging Services has been designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. Through diagnostic imaging, which includes CT lung cancer screenings using our CT scanners, our team has a passion for care and caring and we focus on providing excellent, individualized service to each patient. Find a Location.
Raleigh Radiology is proud to be the exclusive imaging colleague of WakeMed, reading thousands of imaging studies each week for patients inside the hospital and through WakeMed’s Outpatient Imaging locations. Working together, we aim provide the latest technology, convenient access and prompt testing and results for our patients.
Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine
WakeMed’s team of pulmonologists provides patients exceptional, collaborative care and treatment for a wide range of respiratory and lung conditions to enhance patients’ respiratory health.
From common to complex conditions and treatment options, our experts at WakeMed can help everyone breathe a little easier.
Dr. Kevin Davidson on who is at risk for developing lung cancer
Thoracic Surgery
WakeMed Heart & Vascular - Thoracic Surgery offers chest, esophageal and lung surgeries and procedures including minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery. Patients are seen within 48 hours of a referral and the surgeon meets with the patient on this initial visit. With offices in Raleigh and Cary, we make accessibility to advanced specialists as convenient as possible.
Learn more from Dr. Trevor Upham about what our Thoracic Surgeons see in patients who smoke and vape.
:60 to Good Health | Vaping with Dr. Trevor Upham
Hematology & Medical Oncology
Whether you’re facing a lung cancer diagnosis yourself or are worried about having a higher-than-average risk, WakeMed Cancer Care is with you every step of the way.
Specializing in thoracic cancer, Dr. Praveen Namireddy works alongside our multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists who are committed to providing patients high quality, comprehensive cancer care for all types of cancers and hematology disorders, including respiratory and lung conditions.
Hear more about lung cancer from Dr. Namireddy, hematologist & medical oncologist with WakeMed Cancer Care.
Respiratory Care Services
WakeMed Respiratory Care Services offers a variety of tests to measure breathing and lung function and supports patients’ respiratory needs in the neonatal, pediatric and adult intensive care units as well as in our pulmonary function testing locations. Our team of highly skilled respiratory therapists, who work closely with the pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons, take pride in providing fast results for the benefit of our patients. Our Respiratory Care Services teams are found at WakeMed Raleigh Campus, Cary Hospital and North Hospital.
Pulmonary Rehab & Cardiopulmonary Therapy
WakeMed Rehabilitation Services offers a continuum of specialized pulmonary rehab and cardiopulmonary therapy designed to assist you in becoming more independent and active without getting fatigued or short of breath. From closely monitored exercise to breathing exercises & strategies, and educational sessions to help you understand and manage your health, WakeMed’s cardiopulmonary physical therapists, team of respiratory therapists and clinical aides work together to create an individualized plan that meets your specific abilities and goals.
Quit With WakeMed
Quit With WakeMed is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary program designed to help you quit tobacco for good. Our Tobacco Cessation team will provide you with the tools, therapies and support you need to be successful. Our approach has been proven to be approximately 10 times more effective than quitting on your own. To learn more, call 919-350-QUIT (7848), or schedule an appointment online through WakeMed MyChart.
- Podcast: Quit Smoking with WakeMed (radiomd.com)
- Blog – Why Quit Now?: WakeMed Voices
Lung & Chest Health Navigators
Our dedicated nurse navigators are there to support patients find your way to the best care and treatment available for lung cancer and respiratory diseases. They can help you understand it all because when something threatens the way you live and breathe each day, it’s nice to know you have a resource.
Take This Quick Quiz
- Are you currently between the ages of 50 to 80 years old?
- Are you a current smoker or a previous smoker who has quit within the past 15 years?
- Do you have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years)?
If you answer yes to these questions, you are likely to qualify and benefit from a low-dose CT Lung Cancer Screening.
A low dose CT-scan is a painless procedure that can detect smaller nodules or cancer better than a traditional chest X-ray. When lung cancer is detected at its earliest stage and treated surgically, survival rates are around ten times better than those diagnosed with late-stage disease.