NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln announced the hospital has been named a Center of Excellence by GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2), a nationally recognized organization that supports lung cancer care and research.
According to GO2, there are an estimated 237,000 Americans diagnosed with lung cancer annually.
Evelyn Berrios, a patient at Lincoln Hospital, told News 12 that while attending a routine appointment, her doctor recommended she take part in the hospital's low-dose CT screening for lung cancer.
"I didn't feel any symptoms. Being that I was a smoker for 45 years, [my doctor] determined because of my weight loss, she sent me for some X-rays," Berrios explained.
The low-dose CT screening determined that Berrios was in the early stages of lung cancer.
Elie Hatem, MD, with Lincoln Hospital, says that the CT screenings allow medical professionals at the hospital to be proactive with treating the lung cancer.
"So, the earlier we catch it, the better is the treatment. We can even cure patients," said Hatem.
Staff at the hospital are very proud of its' new distinction. They are looking forward to reaching further into the community to assist those at risk for lung cancer.
Berrios credits the hospital staff for her life today.
"If I would have waited till today, I could have had probably Stage III cancer and Stage IV, and it would have been too late," shared Berrios.
For more information about low-dose CT screenings at Lincoln Hospital, or to make an appointment, please call 718-579-5218.
