FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

“In receiving this prestigious designation, we continue demonstrating our commitment to providing responsible screening practices to our patients,” explains Marcia Manker, CEO of OCMMC. “Lung cancer continues to be by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women and early and accurate detection through appropriate screening practices are critical to providing patients the best chance for beating their disease.”

The ACR, founded in 1924, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.

In order to receive this distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography (CT) in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.

Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. In December 2013, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended screening of adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer – taking the lives of more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

“Low dose CT screening has shown to be a proven method to detect lung cancer at an early and treatable stage and it is imperative that we continue to remain vigilant about who is an appropriate candidate for these screenings,” adds Richard J. Wasley, MD, radiologist and medical director of MemorialCare Imaging Center at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center. “As clinicians, this designation further validates our tireless efforts to provide outstanding, high-quality lung cancer care to our patients who have entrusted us to help safely and accurately detect their disease.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Early Lung Cancer Screening Program at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center at (714) 378-7900, or log on to www.memorialcare.org/orangecoast.


About:
At Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, patients can expect high quality, patient-focused care. Orange Coast Memorial is one of a select group of healthcare organizations nationwide to achieve Magnet®; a designation achieved for superiority in patient care and nursing professionalism. As a nonprofit hospital serving the community, Orange Coast Memorial offers care in nearly every medical specialty. Along with an award-winning Emergency Department, Orange Coast Memorial implements best practices in medicine through its Centers of Excellence. These include the MemorialCare Cancer Institute, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute and MemorialCare Breast Center. Orange Coast Memorial has repeatedly been voted one of the Best in Orange County, by readers of the Orange County Register. The hospital’s investment in the health of the community includes annual free screenings for skin cancer, breast cancer and hepatitis, among others. For more information, please log on to http://www.me
morialcare.org/orange-coast-memorial.