Cancer Center Staff Collaborates with The University of Kentucky

Several SOMC Cancer Center staff members, including oncologists, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, lung navigators, nurses and radiation therapists, recently participated in a collaborative education with the University of Kentucky.

This opportunity came just in time to kick off November and Lung Cancer Awareness Month! The purpose of the activity was to learn more about the populations within the community we serve and understand barriers to timeliness to treatment and treatment regimen assignments. The activity’s title was: Integrating Evidence-Based Treatment and Overcoming Disparities in Patients with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lung Cancer is the most common diagnosis of cancer in the community SOMC serves and can be deadly. The Lung Health Leadership Team, led by SOMC Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Jeremiah Martin, tracks timeliness to treatment and the stage of lung cancers diagnosed at SOMC. With the long-standing SOMC Lung Cancer Screening Program and the newer SOMC Incidental Findings Program, SOMC is beginning to see a trend in earlier lung cancer diagnoses. An early diagnosis of lung cancer results in a higher likelihood of cure.

“Participating in this activity was beyond exciting for our team, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity,” said Wendi Waugh, SOMC Administrative Director of Cancer Services and Ambulatory Infusion Clinic.