for the care and resources we offer
continues to grow as the population ages
and more people move to the region. We
need to expand our program to meet those
needs,” says Dr. deKeratry.
Another area of interest is advanced
screening procedures for lung cancer.
“Screening for breast, prostate, cervical and
even skin cancer is standard procedure.
Recently, new technology to screen for
lung cancer has become available,” he says.
“This new technology, known as
autofluorescence, is something we would
like to bring to Scott & White. We’re
hopeful philanthropy will help do that.
“Imagine the lives that could be saved
with a screening process in place—
especially among families with a genetic
history of lung cancer," says Dr. deKeratry.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of
cancer death among both men and
women in the United States. More people
die of lung cancer than of colon, breast
and prostate cancers combined. ■
Pulmonology Clinical
Trial Benefits Patients
with Emphysema
Scott & White’s Department
of Interventional Pulmonology
is currently participating in a
Phase III clinical trial to help
emphysema patients breathe
easier. The objective of the trial
is to determine the efficacy of
the IBV® Valve in redirecting
airflow from diseased portions
of the lung to healthier areas to
achieve improvement in diseaserelated health status. Since the
valve is inserted through a
bronchoscopic procedure rather
than traditional surgery, Scott
& White's minimally invasive
expertise makes it the right
place for testing this device.
The trial is being funded by
the manufacturer of the valve,
Spiration, Inc.
Stent technology helped expand Ms. Birdwell’s airway, allowing her trachea to expand to normal
diameter so she could go back to living a normal life.
Winter 09 THE CATALYST
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