ROCKPORT — As part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals will be open for CT lung cancer screens as part of National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Saturday, Nov. 9.

“Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, but survival rates can be significantly improved by screening,” said Letitia Stover, RN, lung screening nurse navigator for the two hospitals. “We hope this event will help raise awareness about these important screenings and make it easier for patients to get screened.”

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is the second most common cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. When found at an earlier stage, it is more likely to be treated successfully. According to Stover, yearly screenings with a low-dose CT scan, which is a type of X-ray, are recommended for people ages 50 to 80 years old who smoke or used to smoke within the past 15 years and have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking. A pack-year is equal to smoking one pack per day for a year.

National Lung Cancer Screening Day appointments will be available at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, located at 6 Glen Cove Drive in Rockport, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appointments will be available at MaineHealth Waldo Hospital, located at 118 Northport Ave. in Belfast, between 8 a.m. and noon.

Pre-registration is required at both hospitals. Please call 505-4712 for additional information or to prescreen and register.

For more information about lung cancer, visit mainehealth.org/lungcancer.

About MaineHealth

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care.

MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Care at Home in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Heal System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.