Independence Health System Marks November As Lung Cancer Awareness Month With Fund-Raising Walk

Independence Health System thoracic surgeon Michael Szwerc, MD, shows JoAnn Vasko her lung scan

More Americans die of lung cancer every year than from breast, prostate and colorectal cancer combined. Independence Health System through the Independence Latrobe Hospital Advanced Lung Center is hosting a walk to raise awareness of the life-saving value of screenings, as well as funds for patient services November 2 at The Square at Latrobe, 100 Excela Health Drive. Walkers can check in at 9 a.m. and participate in the basket and 50/50 raffles. Opening ceremonies start at 9:30 a.m., with the walk following at 10 a.m. There is limited event day registration. Advance registration is available by visiting https: thelatrobeareahospitalcharitablefoundation.salsalabs.org.

The walk is designed to spread awareness of the benefits of lung cancer screening, and educate people of all ages on the dangers of smoking, vaping and using smokeless tobacco products. Funds raised with help provide state-of-the-art equipment and expert care in the community.

Lung Cancer Screening is recommended for current or former smokers between the ages of 50 and 80 years old who have a 20-pack year history (packs per day multiplied by the number of years). Since 2016, the Advanced Lung Center has performed more than 23,000 screening scans on some 8,000 patients. Almost 300 lung cancers have been detected for a rate of 3.8%. The vast majority of cancers detected have been early stage.
Screening improves the chance of detecting cancer at earlier stages which leads to better overall outcomes. “By participating in a lung cancer screening program, an individual who has smoked can dramatically reduce the chances of dying from lung cancer,” says Michael Szwerc, MD, medical director of thoracic surgery and the Advanced Lung Center at Independence Health.

JoAnn Vasko of Greensburg was one of those life-long smokers. Although her mother had died of lung cancer, Vasko was not deterred from her own 50-year habit until she was hospitalized for breathing issues in 2019, and a pulmonary scan revealed early stage lung cancer. Before discharge she began using a nicotine patch to begin her withdrawal. Since her diagnosis, the 70-year-old has had two procedures to remove cancerous areas of her lungs, and recurring CT scans to detect any future occurrence. “I was foolish regarding my smoking,” she admits. “But I love life too much to ever smoke again.” Beyond her advocacy for lung cancer screenings, Vasko also is a proponent of flu, pneumonia and RSV vaccines, which help guard against respiratory illnesses that can impede breathing, just like tobacco use.

Karen Zider began smoking at age 20. As the Norvelt woman approached retirement from Westmoreland Hospital in 2015, she determined it was also time to end her 40-plus year habit. Given her tobacco use, she had previously participated in the low-dose CT scans offered as part of the health system’s wellness program and felt she had been spared.
But that was not the case. Although she has been tobacco free for nearly 10 years, her most recent scan in July revealed cancer. “I didn’t really accept it at first,” she said. “It didn’t hit me until after my surgery Sept. 25 that I actually had cancer.” Thankfully, she has needed no chemotherapy or radiation treatments. “I knew screening was important; now I can say it is a life-saver.”

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties.

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health