BCHS Physician to speak on Maintaining Healthy Lungs & Lung Disease
 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition, which has a high and continually increasing mortality, affecting men and women equally. It is estimated that approximately eight percent of all individuals have COPD, including approximately ten percent of individuals older than 40 years. The true prevalence is likely higher because COPD is both under-recognized and under-diagnosed. COPD was the sixth leading cause of death worldwide in 1990 and is expected to become the third leading cause of death by 2020.
Dr. Tammy Gleeson, a thoracic surgeon at Battle Creek Health System, will offer a special presentation about 'Maintaining Healthy Lungs & Living with Lung Disease' on Wednesday, November 14, at Burnham Brook Center. Senior Health Partners presents the program as part of its 'Aging Well' series, which is free to the public.
A light luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Gleeson's presentation at noon. Seating is limited. Calling Senior Health Partners at (269) 441-0948 can make reservations.
This special presentation will cover preventative measures in avoiding lung disease and cancer including management and treatment of these conditions if diagnosed. The program supports the national focus on lung disease and smoking cessation activities such as the Great American Smoke out in November.
Dr. Gleeson will review the primary goals aimed in the management of lung disease those being; relieve symptoms, prevent disease progression, improve exercise tolerance, improve health status, prevent and treat complications, prevent and treat exacerbations, and reduce mortality. Discussion will also cover preventative measures one can take in reducing their risk for lung disease and cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States, and its annual incidence and mortality rate have risen over the past 25 years. It is estimated that lung cancer will be responsible for approximately 164,500 deaths in the U.S. during 2006, in comparison with an estimated 127,500 deaths from the combined mortality of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer over the same period.
"Cigarette smoking is a major cause of disease in the United States and is responsible for almost 90 percent of cases of lung cancer," says Dr. Gleeson. "More than 400,000 deaths occur each year as a result of cigarette smoking, all of which are preventable with smoking cessation. In addition, exposure to second-hand smoke (passive smoking) is estimated to cause 40,000 deaths from heart disease each year."
Smoking cessation reduces the risk of lung cancer within five years of stopping smoking, although former smokers still have a higher risk of lung cancer than those who never smoked. Smoking cessation may also reduce the risk of other cancers, such as cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, pancreas, and bladder. Stopping smoking remains beneficial even after a diagnosis of one of these cancers, since it reduces the risk of getting a second cancer and may improve the chance of survival from the first cancer.
Senior Health Partners, a collaboration of Battle Creek Health System, Burnham Brook Center, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun and surrounding counties. For more information about senior programs, visit the Burnham Brook web site at http://burnhambrook.com, or call (269) 441-0933.
About the Presenter
Tammy Gleeson, DO is a member of the Battle Creek Health System medical staff and is the chair of the Department of Surgery. She is affiliated with General Thoracic Surgical Services in Battle Creek. Dr. Gleeson received her medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. She completed her internship at Bi-County Community Hospital in Warren, Michigan and her residency in general surgery at St. John-Detroit Riverview Hospital. She returned to Bi-County Community Hospital where she was awarded a fellowship in thoracic cardiovascular surgery.
More News |
