San Joaquin Community Hospital | You + Us | Winter 2016

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Finding cancer, SAVING LIVES
It’s here: Kern County’s first designated Lung Cancer Screening Center
With cancer, finding it early often equals a
better chance of survival—but lung cancer doesn’t
usually show symptoms until it’s in the advanced
stage. That’s one reason it’s the nation’s leading
cancer killer. Lung cancer takes more lives each
year than breast, colon and prostate cancers
combined.
Lung cancer screening significantly reduces lung
cancer deaths. The U.S. Preventive Services Task
Force recommends screenings for adults 55 to 80
years old who have a history of heavy smoking,
even if they’ve quit within the past 15 years.
A caring place to turn. The AIS Cancer Center
at San Joaquin Community Hospital (SJCH) is
the first and only hospital in Kern County to be
designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by
the American College of Radiology (ACR).
This ACR program recognizes facilities for
practicing safe, effective diagnostic care for
people at the highest risk for lung cancer. They
must also provide follow-up care, such as coun-
seling and smoking cessation programs.
“Our Lung Cancer Screening Center enables
physicians to find lung cancer early when the
disease is more likely to be cured,” says AIS
Cancer Center Director Melina Thorpe.
Compassion first
“Everyone [at SJCH] was devoted and caring. I’ve
always said that God’s gift to cancer patients is
their caregivers, because of their deep humanity
and compassion.”
—Linda Shideler, lung cancer survivor
Linda had her own way of coping with cancer, including a bucket list.
To watch Linda tell her own story, go to .
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Helping you breathe easier
More top-tier rankings: U.S. News & World
Report has rated San Joaquin Community
Hospital (SJCH) as high-performing for chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care
in their “Best Hospitals” for Common Care
ratings.
The magazine, known for its consumer rankings,
evaluated hospitals nationwide. Less than 10 per-
cent of hospitals were rated as high-performing
for COPD care.
Healthgrades® also
named SJCH in the top
10 percent of U.S. hospitals
for pulmonary services.
According to Healthgrades,
lung patients treated at
hospitals that received the Pulmonary Care Excel-
lence Award™ have, on average, a 46 percent
lower risk of dying than if they were treated in
hospitals that did not receive the award.
Think of us first
In our region, air quality can be a
problem. Although COPD is often
caused by smoking, it can also
result from long-term exposure
to lung irritants, including air
pollution, industrial dust and
chemical fumes. If you need care
for COPD, come to San Joaquin
Community Hospital (SJCH).
Screening saves lives. Lung
cancer screening is covered
by many insurance plans. Call
Quest Imaging to learn if you
qualify: 661-633-5001.