LUNG CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Veterans and the general public. But it can often be cured if found early enough. Screening using annual low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans reduces lung cancer deaths by 20%. Our team has helped other VA facilities start LCS programs. The VALBHS LCS Program anticipates that about 4,500 Veterans will be eligible for screening within the first year of the program. Veterans can contact their primary care providers for referral to the LCS Program. Each Veteran referred to the LCS Program receives a lung cancer risk assessment. If the Veteran chooses to enroll, we coordinate annual LDCT scans and follow-up care. Should a screening show possible lung cancer, Veterans can rest assured that VALBHS has 30 years of experience with management of lung nodules and lung cancer. Nearly 90% of lung cancers are smoking related. Through our LCS Program, we help smokers quit. We partner with Veterans on drug management and other resources to support them. To date, 35% of Veterans who receive support through the LCS Program have either decreased or quit smoking. CANCER RESEARCH The cancer research team includes specialists from oncology, surgery, pathology, and other areas. They partner with pharmacists, nurses, and research coordinators to provide high-level care to our Veterans. VALBHS is one of only 12 VAs to be awarded the NAVIGATE (National Cancer Institute and VA Interagency Group to Accelerate Trials Enrollment) grant.
The NAVIGATE program helps facilitate Veteran participation in national clinical trials. It offers Veterans access to cancer treatment, prevention, and symptom management trials. Since 2019, VALBHS has opened 26 trials in lung, prostate, blood, liver, bladder, and head and neck cancers. In 2020, VALBHS was selected to be one of 23 Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP) centralized hub sites in the country. The aim of the LPOP program is to prevent, detect, and treat lung cancer in Veterans. The cancer research program is an asset for the over 500 Veterans diagnosed with cancer at VALBHS every year. We currently have 18 trials open, with a plan to open 6 more. Our goal is to offer participation in clinical trials to every eligible Veteran. SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM Cancer survivors are at high risk for complications from their disease and its treatment, and for secondary cancers. In December 2022, we started a Survivorship Program, which provides a tailored and holistic care plan.
Pictured left to right: Lisa Lobdell, MSN, RN, CCM, CHTP; Brian Woods, BA; Diana Clarete BSN, RN, CCM; Kelly Hickey, MSN, RN; Judy Lim, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CRRN, CNL, WCC, OMS; Neha Shah, PhD, CCRP; Ann Eapen, MD; Daniele Juszkiewicz, MD; Neha Patel, MD; Helen Ma, MD; Pankaj Gupta, MD, FACP; Jaymee Nakata, MSN, RN-BC; Hyun Don Yun, MD; Tamayo Johnson, RN; Kareem Torres, BS; Linda Valles-Gutierrez DNP, FNP-BC, TTS; Anthony Valles, Program Support; Carole Arbo, CTR
8 HEALTH & HEROES VIP Experience
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