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:
Grief and Loss During Holidays and Milestones
Compassionate Care Center Updates Completed
News & Events
Family Caregiving 101 July 25
A new, free resource for family caregivers is coming to Madison County on Wed., July 25, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Berea College Forestry Outreach Center in Berea. Family Caregiving 101 is designed to be a mini-conference experience that features four, brief learning sessions combined with opportunities for fellowship and networking among caregivers. The…
May Memorial Service is May 22
The annual Hospice Care Plus May Memorial Service is at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22 at First Baptist Church in Richmond. A reception will follow with refreshments provided by hospice staff and volunteers. The service gives the community a chance to pause to remember loved ones in the week leading up to Memorial Day.…
HCP Wins Hospice Honors Award
Hospice Care Plus, a non-profit provider of hospice and palliative care, has been named a 2018 Hospice Honors recipient by Healthcare First. Hospice Honors is a prestigious program that recognizes hospices across the country providing the highest level of quality as measured from the caregiver’s point of view. It is administered by Deyta Analytics, a division…
Teen Volunteers: Prep for College, Career
On Saturday, April 28, Hospice Care Plus will train a new class of volunteers. All are welcome and needed but, as summer approaches, teenagers are especially encouraged to attend. To pre-register for the training, contact Stefanie Manes, volunteer coordinator, at 859-626-9292 or hospice@hospicecp.org. Hospice allows teens age 14 and up to participate in its volunteer program, which has over…