According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in the United States. Kentucky has the highest occurrence of new cases in the country. Even though Kentucky ranks second in the nation in screening people at high risk for lung cancer, it still has the highest death rate. Why?
Dr. Timothy Mullett, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center, says it’s because screening isn’t done early enough. “The majority of our patients, much more than the rest of the country, are seen with late-stage disease, over 80 percent of the time. We have a chance to change that. Lung cancer screening can be effective and can reduce mortality by as much as 20 to 50 percent.”
Fortunately, low-dose CT scans can detect lung cancer in its early, more treatable, stages.
Lung cancer screening is covered in Kentucky by Medicare and Medicaid at no or low cost for people who meet at-risk requirements. The American Lung Association has more information and a short quiz to help you determine your risk.
If you or someone you know is living with lung cancer, remember that involving palliative care can help with overall quality of life as you pursue treatment. Our home-based palliative program offers pain and symptom consultation and helps connect patients and families to resources and benefits that may help. Studies have shown that patients who receive hospice care soon after diagnosis with advanced lung cancer have better quality and length of life. They are also more likely to remain at home where their pain and symptoms are managed with regular nursing and care team visits and 24/7 access to nursing staff.
To learn more about our hospice and palliative care programs, explore this website or contact us anytime at 859-986-1500 or hospice@hospicecp.org.
Hospice Care Plus empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.
Our Service Area:
Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.
Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.
Recent News:
News & Events
Give a “Heart for Hospice” in February
For the entire month of February, several local banks are hosting the annual “Hearts for Hospice” fundraising event. When you visit a participating bank in the lobby or at the drive-through, you will have the opportunity to request a memorial heart for a donation of at least one dollar. Donors write their name or the…
Remembrance Tree Ceremony Dec. 6
One of our community’s most beloved, holiday traditions is the annual Remembrance Tree Ceremony, with hundreds participating each year for more than 25 years. The 2020 ceremony will be hosted live and virtually on Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m. The event will be live-streamed on our Remembrance Tree 2020 Facebook event page. To participate,…
Poinsettia Sale Fundraiser Open Now!
Our annual Poinsettia Sale Fundraiser supports care for patients and families while providing you with beautiful poinsettia varieties to enjoy throughout the holiday season. The poinsettias are in six-inch pots with four-plus blooms and come from a regional grower. Using our secure site, purchase poinsettias for your home, church, or business or as gifts. You…
Visitor Guidelines: Compassionate Care Center
As a healthcare setting, we follow CDC guidance to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for Hospice Care Plus patients, families, visitors, and staff. The following guidelines apply to visits at our Compassionate Care Center. Please check back frequently, as protocols may change. We will also share revised restrictions and protocols on our Facebook…