Michael Smith’s battle with cancer began with a cough.
He noticed he was coughing up blood, and over time more and more blood came out with his coughs. He went to Gwinnett Medical Center for a checkup and during a CT scan, doctors discovered what was wrong: Smith had a tumor growing on the upper portion of his right lung.
“I remember asking someone how long people with this normally last,” the 65-year-old said. “I thought I was only going to live for six months, but that was three years ago.”
Smith, now 65, is one of the survivors that Gwinnett Medical officials want local residents to meet Thursday during the hospital’s Fourth Annual Shine A Light lung cancer awareness program. The free event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Historic Gwinnett County Courthouse, which is located at 185 Crogan St. in Lawrenceville.
The program is being offered to recognize Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
The Gwinnett Medical Center Cancer Institute will highlight some of the treatments it offers lung cancer patients during the event, and patients and survivors, such as Smith, will talk about their battles with the disease. Officials said light appetizers and beverages will be served at the event.
Dr. Mohan Krishnamachary, who treated Smith, said it is important for people to be aware of lung cancer and what causes the disease because of the health risks it poses to people.
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men, women and across every ethnic group,” Krishnamachary said. “Eighty percent of the patients with lung cancer have never smoked. Sixty percent are former smokers. Twenty percent are current smokers. Veterans (have a) 20 percent higher rate of lunch cancer than the civilians.”
On its website, Gwinnett Medical said more people die from lung cancer than any other form of cancer, and that it is the second highest cause of death in the nation. Nationwide, the hospital said more than 200,000 people receive a lung cancer diagnosis each year and that many of those cases are in advanced stages, resulting in the death of about 90 percent of those people.
Hospital officials said people can reduce their chances of dying from the cancer by getting screened regularly.
“The way we treat lunch cancer has changed in the past couple of years,” Krishnamachary said. “For the first time, checkpoint inhibitors, also known as immunotherapy, (are) now being used (as a) first line in certain patients with lung cancer. Certain high risk patients can now get (a) Loludes CAT scan.”
The Lung Cancer Alliance has recognized Gwinnett Medical’s Cancer Institute’s lung screening program as a Center of Excellence. The team of doctors at the hospital who work with lung cancer patients includes oncologists, oncology nurses, pathologists, pulmonologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and thoracic surgeons.
While the hospital is proud of its team of specialists, Smith and Krishnamachary said the patients and their friends and family also play an important role in the battle against lung cancer.
“It’s easy to get down, but I won’t let myself sit in that mental state” Smith, who has been cancer-free since 2014, said. “I push forward and keep fighting. I feel right at home at the GMC Center for Cancer Care and Dr. Mohan Krishnamachary has become a part of my family”
Krishnamachary said the family and friends serve as a support network for the patient.
“My philosophy is that cancer effects one person but our family and friends are involved emotionally,” Krishnamachary said. “While I am treating my (patient), I like to involve the family and friends. That translates into the outlook. Patients will no longer feel like they are all alone in this battle with cancer. Honestly, with the number of medication on hand, we are seeing significant improvement in survival. ”
Shine A Light’s co-hosts include Suburban Hematology-Oncology Associates, Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia, the Gwinnett Pulmonary Group, Vantage Oncology, Amity Care Pallitative Care and Hayes Family Dealerships.
Anyone interested in attending the event can call 678-312-3100 to register.
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