Greetings to each of you! With the arrival of vaccines and warmer weather, thankfully the lockdown is closer to being relaxed. Hallelujah!
Progress Update
My health news is excellent. The daily pill works; my tumors are still 70% smaller and there is no disease progression. I am “medically stable”! This summer, I’ll be golfing, power-walking, and able to spend time with family and friends. I’ve had both vaccine shots, and I feel great.
Here is some useful information to have and pass along
Cancer screening saves lives by detecting disease in high-risk individuals early, making the condition more treatable and improving the likelihood of a positive outcome. The goal of screening is to increase survival rates and improve the quality of life for those affected.
After a five-year Lung Cancer Screening Pilot for those at risk, mainly long-time smokers, Ontario concluded it is effective and the hospitals that participated in the pilot will continue and other hospitals will be added.
Long-time smokers are considered high-risk and receive a low-dose CT scan that uses a small amount of radiation. You may qualify if you are:
• 55 to 74 years old, and
• smoked cigarettes daily for at least 20 years, in total, not necessarily consecutively.
To find out if you qualify, contact your healthcare provider, or call the participating Ontario Lung Screening Program hospital closest to you. To find participating hospitals, visit Ontario Lung Screening Program Locations.
As a never-smoker who would not have qualified for the screening test, I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. At this late stage, the disease is treatable, not curable. It’s important to take advantage of this screening opportunity if you qualify. Early detection results in more treatment options.
Fundraiser in support of Sunnybrook
Stay tuned for information about our September fundraising golf tournament for Sunnybrook. We’ll provide details about participating, supporting, and sponsoring the event soon.
Have a wonderful summer and stay well.