On the 15th March 2023, Some members of the JJJ team as well as other multidisciplinary members travelled to Kokstad for the first leg of our Lung Cancer Screening Outreach Roadshow. Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg and SAMA co-hosted this exciting event.
The CPD accredited evening had a wonderful program consisting of the following talks
- Dr Jehron Pilllay (cardiothoracic surgeon)- Diagnostic & therapeutic surgery for lung cancer
- Dr Pelham Piek (oncologist)- Advances in systematic therapy for non small cell lung cancer
- Dt Phil Hartwig (radiologist) Low dose CT for lung cancer screening
- Dr James Fulton (cardiothoracic surgeon)- Ethical considerations for Lung Cancer Screening Program
We had a little time at the Nolangeni hotel next to Kokstad Private Hospital to network before the main event and meet many of the primary healthcare doctors from the area, as well as some friendly radiographers! We then proceeded with the program, and such valuable information was shared. Please see link to recorded footage of this event for all the detail however, as highlights, I would include:
That lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death world wide
There are many events/ social media initiative for other cancers but not many on lung cancer (think pink ribbons) despite it being the leading cause of cancer death.
- Current estimates suggest that almost 7% of persons born today will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime, and almost 6% will die of it
- Approximately 85% of lung cancer cases in the United States are attributable to smoking, and a high percentage occurs in former smokers because risk continues after smoking stops.
- Other persons at increased risk include older adults and those with a family history of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pulmonary fibrosis, and certain environmental and occupational exposures.
The South African Lung Cancer Screening eligibility…
- Age 55-74 years
- Current or former smokers (having quit within the preceding 15 years) with at least a 30 pack year history
- No history of lung cancer
- Are in general good health and fit for surgery
Dr Hartwig also shared the lung RADS 2022 classification system
Which includes management guidelines according to score based on the low dose CT findings
Dr Fulton’s ethics talk included the following statistic that should encourage us to take part in this very important initiative…
Stage 1 diagnosis 5 year survival is more than 80%.
Total overall survival is only 15-20%.
Screening will save lives
The side effects of screening, weighing up the benefits vs the harm as well as the role of biomarkers were discussed.
Dr Piek, oncologist from Hopelands Cancer Centre also shared that treatment strategies have evolved greatly into the 2000’s with many chemotherapies being oral treatment that are mostly well tolerated.
What is clear is that there is a lot more healthcare providers can do to increase chances of survival, and it starts with developing a team, getting support and screening and following up high risk patients.
We enjoyed dinner together with our new and old colleagues and will endeavor to continue providing support to this community.
Once again please watch the link for more details or contact us for more information.
Rene 0646502242
There are another 3 events in this roadshow, so stay tuned and watch this space!
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