COMMUNITY CALENDAR

JANUARY 2014

Saint Peters Offers Low-Dose CT Scans of Lungs

First Hospital in Middlesex County with Latest Technology

ung cancer is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States, making early stage detection crucial to determining appropriate and successful treatment and bringing it to remission. Saint Peters University Hospital recently became the rst hospital in Middlesex County to provide low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung screening, an effective screening tool for detecting lung disease in those most at risk of developing it.

Therapy Technologist (RTT), the programs patient navigator. The radiation exposure is only about 10 percent of that for a conventional CT scan. Patients make the appointment with the patient navigator. Upon arrival on the day of the screening, a CT technologist escorts the patient to the room where the scanner is housed. The scan only takes a few minutes, and as is customary during such a diagnostic test, patients are asked to lie still and sometimes hold their breath as the machine captures images. During the scan, the CT technologist remains steps away, monitoring the scan through a window, talking to the patient via an intercom system. Once the scan is completed and read, results are provided to the patient and to the patients primary care physician. The patient navigator remains a guide throughout the process and coordinates all the recommended steps made by Saint Peters expert panel of physicians who can provide follow-up care and recommendations specic to the patients healthcare needs. Along with Dr. Frenia and Pingitore, the program team includes a nurse practitioner, a thoracic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, radiologist, pathologist, and breast surgeon. Why Is the Scan Recommended? Usually symptoms of lung cancer do not appear until the disease is already in an advanced, non-curable stage. Even when symptoms of lung cancer do appear, many people may mistake them for other problems, such as a respiratory infection or the long-term effects from smoking. This may delay the diagnosis. Cancer is the deadliest disease in the United States, second only to heart disease. Among cancers, the disease of the lungs is the leading cause of death among men and women. Until now, however, screenings were recommended for cancers such as breast, colon and prostate, making it difcult to diagnose lung cancer in its early stages when treatment options are often best. Because there has been a signicant increase in lung cancer for women, mostly related to smoking, the program is a multidisciplinary collaboration that includes the Saint Peters Breast Center. As part of the collaboration, a research study -

Low-Dose Computed Tomography (CT) Screening for Women who are at High Risk for Lung Cancer - will focus on evaluating women who are at high risk for developing lung cancer over their lifetime. The National Lung Screening Trial of the National Cancer Institute reported that one life among those of every 320 highrisk persons screened was saved using low-dose CT scanning over a two-year period, resulting in a 20 percent reduction in the lung-cancer-specic mortality rate when compared to diagnosis as a result of chest X-rays. The study included more than 50,000 people aged 55 to 74 who were current or former smokers and were in fairly good health. People in the study got either three LDCT scans or three chest X-rays, each a year apart, to look for abnormal areas in the lungs that might be cancer. Based on the results of the trial, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Cancer Society issued recommendations calling for high-risk individuals to undergo annual low-dose CT screening. Cost Most private insurers and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services do not currently reimburse for low-dose CT screening. Saint Peters, however, charges a nominal rate of $99 per screening. At Saint Peters our comprehensive approach to lung care ensures that each patient receives the support, expertise and services to meet their unique needs, including smoking cessation coordination, rehabilitation services and cutting-edge treatment options, says Dr. Frenia.
Visit saintpetershcs.com/lungassessment to learn about lung cancer risks.

The early detection of lung cancer is key Douglas Frenia, MD to treating this deadly disease, says Douglas Frenia, MD, the pulmonologist who heads the hospitals new Healthy Lung Screening Program. Making the diagnosis at an early stage allows for a greater variety of treatment options and an improved chance for a cure. How It Is Done The screening is recommended for patients who meet the following criteria: Age 55-74 30-pack-a-year history of smoking 1 pack/day for 30 years 2 pack/day for 15 years Current smoker or previous smoker who has quit within the past 15 years No previous diagnosis of lung cancer At Saint Peters the latest technology makes it possible to provide the lowest dose scan available with levels of almost 40 percent lower than other scanning technology. The hospitals new state-of-the-art low-dose GE VCT scanner features advanced computer software that produces high resolution images while reducing radiation dosage. The advantages of using this technology are obvious the low-dose CT screening enables physicians to see the inside of the human body in such sharp focus that doctors are able to diagnose the disease at its earliest stages, increasing a patients chances for curative treatment and long-term survival. Low dose CT lung screening is quick and easy for the patient, says Nancy Pingitore, Nancy Pingitore, RTT Registered Radiation

For more information, questions or to participate in our Healthy Lung Screening Program contact Nancy Pingitore, RTT, patient navigator, at 732-339-7747. Screenings may be scheduled between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

Need A doctoR? To fiNd A SAiNt peteRs phYsiciAN, cAll 1-855-sp-mY-doc (1-855-776-9362).

JANUARY 2014
All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peters University Hospital, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.

SUPPORT GROUPS
Autism Family Support Group JANUARY 12, 3:00 PM 5:00 PM
877-886-9462

COMMUNITY MOBILE HEALTH SeRvices For more information about

screenings and educational programs, or the CMHS corporate u shot program, please call 732-745-8600, x8903.

PARENT EDUCATION For information, fees and registration, call Parent

Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

SPECIAL EVENTS

opeN hoUse bloodless mediciNe ANd sURgeRY pRogRAm

wednesday, january 8 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Learn about our program and meet the staff who will explain options available for patients who opt not to have blood transfusions during surgery and treatment. Call 732-339-7869 for more information.

Saint Peters Adult Day Center 200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Rachel Kallish, CSW Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-655-6853

Alzheimers/Dementia Support Group JANUARY 14, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

Baby Care JANUARY 4, 9:00 Am 1:00 PM JANUARY 6, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM JANUARY 13, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM Breastfeeding Class JANUARY 25, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM Breastfeeding Support Group JANUARY 3, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM
732-745-8600, x8820

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings JANUARY 10, 9:30 aM 10:30 aM

New Brunswick Senior Center, New Brunswick

Bariatric Surgery Support Group JANUARY 9, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM

Lisa Lapinski, RD 732-745-8600, x8159

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings JANUARY 10, 11:00 aM 12:30 pM

Elijahs Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick

bARiAtRic WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR

THURSday, january 9 7:15 PM - 9:30 PM
For more information, and to register, call Lisa Lapinski at 732-745-8600, x8159.

Bone Density Screening JANUARY 28, 12:30 pm

Bereavement Support Group JANUARY 2 & 16, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

732-745-8565

Spotswood Ofce on Aging, Spotswood

Bereavement Support Group JANUARY 7 & 21, 2:00 PM 3:00 PM

fRee commUNitY lectURes

Back Pain and Spinal Stenosis JANUARY 13, 1:00 pm
Presenter: Sang Song, MD Rossmoor Adult Community, Monroe Township. Residents only.

Infant Massage JANUARY 8, 6:00 PM 7:30 PM Marvelous Multiples JANUARY 27, 7:00 pm 9:30 PM New Daddy Class JANUARY 27, 7:00 Pm 9:00 PM New Mom Support Group JANUARY 3, Noon 1:00 PM

For spouses and signicant others 55 and older. Saint Peters Adult Day Center 200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Sean OBrien, MSW, LSW Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-409-1363, option 5

Light lunch will be served at noon. Registration required.

JoiNt woRship celebRAtiNg oUR pARtNeRship: sAiNt peteRs heAlthcARe sYstem ANd fiRst bAptist chURch of liNcolN gARdeNs
sunday, january 12 11:00 aM
First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset Street, Franklin. Call 732-745-8551 for more information.

Caregivers Support Group/Monroe JANUARY 9, 1:30 PM 3:00 PM

Saint Peters Adult Day Center 200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Stephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP 609-655-2220

How to Keep Your Mind Sharp JANUARY 13, 2:00 pm

Postnatal Yoga and Exercise Class

(four-week sessions)

Presenter: Michele Lardieri, MBA, CALA, Program Director, Saint Peters Adult Day Center The Ponds Adult Community. Residents only.

HELD FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM 7:15 PM

Registration required. (four-week sessions)

Prenatal Yoga and Exercise Class HELD WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS 7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Registration required.

SHARE Support Group

(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)

Dining Out: Dos and Donts JANUARY 14, 1:30 pm

mARtiN lUtheR kiNg ANNUAl iNteRfAith celebRAtioN

wednesday, january 22 1:00 PM
Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center. Call 732-745-8551 for more information.

JANUARY 9, 7:00 PM 9:00 PM

Irina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW 732-745-8522

Presenter: Caryn Alter, RD Nutritionist, Adult Day Center, Monroe Township. Resident only.

CANCER SERVICES The American Cancer Society offers daily

DIABETES EDUCATION
Childrens Insulin Pump Group JANUARY 14, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
Donna Dziedzic, RN, MSN, CDE 732-745-8600, x8751. Call for more information.

Prepared Childbirth Classes MONDAYS, THURSDAYS, or ALL-DAY SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH WEEKENDS
Registration required.

EMS EdUcAtioN SeRies

thursday, january 30 7:00 pm topic: winter emerGencies
Free; refreshments served. CEU credits. Call 908-238-3254 to register.

Sibling Class JANUARY 25, 12:30 pM 1:30 pM

information and support to cancer patients and their families. Call 1-800-227-2345 to talk to a cancer information specialist 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week or visit us online at www.cancer.org.

SAve the dAte

Diabetes Education and Support Group/ Monroe JANUARY 28, 1:30 PM 2:30 PM

ANNUAl fAshioN show

saturday, march 22
Pines Manor, Edison All proceeds benet The Breast Center at Saint Peters.

Breast Cancer Support Group JANUARY 6 & 20, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Guest speaker and open discussion. Registration required. Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW 732-235-7011

Saint Peters Adult Day Center, Monroe Township. Contact: Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW, Therese Wyman, RD, CDE, at 609-409-1363.

Diabetes Self-Management Education HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS

Registration and doctors prescription required. 732-745-6667

ANNUAl gAlA sAiNt peteRs heAlthcARe sYstem

saturday, march 29

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group JANUARY 14, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Cancer Institute of New Jersey 732-235-6792

Gestational Diabetes Self-Management Class HELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Latina Women with Cancer Support Group JANUARY 11, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

Registration and a doctors prescription required. 732-745-6667

Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish. Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

Living with Cancer Support Group JANUARY 8 & 22, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Cancer Institute of New Jersey Barbara Hale, LCSW 732-235-7557

In partnership with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Saint Peters is participating in the New Brunswick Family Solutions Program, which offers free, condential counseling to the families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Call 732-910-9901 for more information.

The Heldrich, New Brunswick

ANNoUNciNg Individuals who receive u shots at Walgreens pharmacies will also receive free health education provided by the Saint Peters Community Mobile Health Services staff. Central Jersey Health and Life, published quaterly, features stories about Saint Peters Healthcare System. To subscribe, call 201-573-5541.

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

732-745-8600

800-269-7508

www.saintpetershcs.com

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen

Regional medical campus of Drexel University College of Medicine

| State-designated childrens hospital and regional perinatal center | Afliate of The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia