Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - Spring 2018 - 5

COULD YOU
HAVE COPD?
personalized
treatment plan.
Assistant
professor of
surgery at
the University
Shelby
Stewart, MD

of Maryland
School of
Medicine and
board-certified

thoracic surgeon Shelby Stewart,
MD, specializes in removing
cancerous tumors and diseased
tissue from the lungs and affected
lymph nodes. "Having had cancer in my family, I understand
what patients are going through
emotionally, so I take a personalized, educational approach," Dr.
Stewart says.
"The best part of my job is
when I am able to give patients
the good news that I've removed
everything," she says.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS
AND LONGEVITY
Indeed, lung cancer is a complex
disease with a risk of recurrence.
"Lung cancer is a silent disease, so
we need imaging to identify

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
a group of diseases including emphysema and
chronic bronchitis that disrupt the air flow in and
out of one's lungs. It is often caused by smoking, but it can be caused by persistent, poorly
controlled asthma.
"UM SJMC offers consultation with a pulmonology physician, evaluation of pulmonary function and a management and follow-up program,"
says board-certified pulmonologist Cynthia
Soriano, MD, head of pulmonary medicine.
"COPD is a treatable, but not curable, disease," says Dr. Soriano. "Treatment can improve
quality of life and includes use of inhalers, nebulizers, oral medications and pulmonary rehabilitation. We assess the need for oxygen. Early
evaluation and management can help preserve
optimal lung function.
"Symptoms of COPD include wheezing,
coughing, shortness of breath and congestion,"
says Dr. Soriano.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE
FOR SCREENING?
Low-dose CT lung cancer screening is available
for people who are at high risk for lung cancer.
You're considered at high risk if you:
Are ages 55 to 77
Are a current smoker or have quit within
the last 15 years
Have a smoking history of at least 30 packyears (i.e., one pack per day for 30 years, two
packs per day for 15 years)

"Patients whose lung cancer is
found at stage 1 or 2, instead of
stage 4, are more likely
to live disease-free for a longer period of time," she says.
"Smokers or ex-smokers in the
group of high-risk patients
eligible for screening are in the
window of a curable group."

AN INSIDE LOOK
AT LUNG TUMORS
Low-dose radiation CT lung cancer screening is a miraculous tool
available at UM SJMC through
a partnership with Advanced
Radiology. "This screening is for
high-risk patients ages 55 to 77
who have smoked for 30 years
or more and are current smokers
or have quit within the last 15
years," says Dr. Stewart.
"We are grateful that we can
catch many lung cancers early
thanks to low-dose CT scanning,"
says board-certified radiologist
Randy Becker, MD, of Advanced
Radiology. "We use a software
computer program to pick up
suspicious nodules, and then we
analyze them. We've seen lives
saved and lives extended."

it early," says Dr. Stewart.

BETTER BREATHERS SUPPORT GROUP

SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES

Fridays, 2 - 3:30 p.m., May 18, July 20, September 21
and November 16. Call 410-337-1302 to register.

Call 410-427-2548 for information about fall classes.

For anyone with a chronic lung disease such as COPD or lung
cancer. Learn ways to cope with your diagnosis and live life
to the fullest. "We discuss topics such as inhaler use, portable
oxygen and how your home is set up. We practice breathing
exercises and try to help prevent hospital readmissions," says
respiratory therapist Greg Goode. "The group's participants help
each other out, sharing tips and providing support," says respiratory
therapist Sarah Tencza.

FREE
HELP

To learn more about lung health, visit umstjoseph.org/healthy.

Free nicotine replacement therapy: gum, patches, lozenges and
Chantix available to eligible class participants. Funded by the
Baltimore County Department of Health.
Quitting before age 40 reduces the chance of
premature death from a smoking-related
disease by 90 percent; quitting by age 54 reduces
it by two-thirds.
umstjoseph.org | Spring 2018 5

http://www.umstjoseph.org/healthy http://www.umstjoseph.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - Spring 2018