November 5, 2004

Lung cancer awareness events on tap

Featured Image

Frances Williams Preston, left, presented the annual breast cancer
awareness award that bears her name to Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder
and president of Sisters Network Inc., the first national
African-American breast cancer survivors organization.
photo by Dana Johnson

Lung cancer continues to claim more lives than the next four leading cancers (breast, prostate, colorectal and pancreas) combined, killing 160,000 Americans and 4,300 Tennesseans this year alone.

The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center will offer a series of free public education events during November, recognized as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, to raise awareness of this important disease and to assist those living with lung cancer.

Each event is free and will be held in the 8th floor conference center of the Frances Williams Preston Building, corner of 23rd and Pierce avenues. Free parking is available in the South Garage. Dates, times and topics are as follows:

• Tuesday, Nov. 9, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Cancer Answer Evening series, “Lung Cancer: Ask the Experts Panel,” featuring medical oncologists David Carbone, M.D., Ph.D., and Alan Sandler, M.D.; thoracic surgeon Bill Putnam, M.D.; and radiation oncologist Dennis Hallahan, M.D. The four will discuss and answer questions about the latest multi-disciplinary treatments for lung cancers and the most promising research in the laboratory and in clinical trials with patients.

• Saturday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., “Living Fully with Lung Cancer,” an educational conference for people living with lung cancer and their family and caregivers. The free event will feature information about lung cancer and its treatments and research, management of symptoms of disease and treatment, and personal stories from lung cancer survivors. Lunch is included. Reservations are required by calling (615) 936-5860 or visit www.vicc.org.

• Tuesday, Nov. 30, Cancer Answer Evening, “Holiday Mindfulness: Living in the Present.” Learn stress reduction using the tools of mindfulness, just in time for the hectic holiday season.

For more information, call (615) 936-5860 or visit www.vicc.org.