Experts & Lung Cancer Survivor Lead Critical Discussion on Lung Cancer

On Wednesday, November 30 at 12 p.m., the American Lung Association will host an online discussion about lung cancer featuring Camila Lopes-Ramos, PhD, Dr. Garrett Sherwood and Elizabeth Speight.

WHAT: North Carolina Community Connections is an educational speaker series focused on lung health where we give you access to the leading experts and lung health professionals. During the November event, the panelists will explore concerns, answer questions, and start a conversation about lung cancer. Attendees will also get a chance to ask questions of all of the panelists. This speaker series is free thanks to Novant Health.

WHERE: Free webinar via Zoom. Media and the public can register here.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 30 at 12:00 p.m. NOON ET

WHO: The event will be moderated by Queen City News reporter Will Lewis and will feature notable speakers, including:

• Camila Lopes-Ramos, PhD, Instructor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Dr. Garrett Sherwood, Medical Director of Novant Health Cancer Institute Thoracic Oncology Program
• Elizabeth Speight, Stage IV 5-year Lung Cancer Survivor and LUNG FORCE Hero

HOW: Media and the public can register here or request further information and interviews in advance by contacting Jill.Smith@Lung.org.

Question for our panelists? Email Katrina.Taylor@Lung.org. Questions will be answered live during the webinar.

WHY: Here in North Carolina, the lung cancer survival rate is similar to the national average at 24.6% and ranks 40th in the nation for new lung cancer cases. “In North Carolina, improving screening rates and advancements in treatment have helped increase the 5-year survival rate by 35%,” shares Dr. Garrett Sherwood with Novant Health. “We all can help reduce the burden of lung cancer in North Carolina. If you are eligible for lung cancer screening, we encourage you to speak with your doctor about it. If a loved one is eligible, please encourage them to get screened.”

Currently,14.2 million Americans meet the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for screening. Under these guidelines, a person is eligible for lung cancer screening if they ###a name="_Hlk66892491">are between 50-80 years of age, have a 20 pack-year history (1 pack/day for 20 years, 2 packs/day for 10 years) and are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years. Find out if you are eligible for lung cancer screening at

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

About Novant Health

Novant Health is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The Novant Health network consists of more than 2,300 physicians and over 35,000 employees who provide care at nearly 800 locations, including 15 hospitals and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. In 2021, Novant Health was the highest-ranking healthcare system in North Carolina to be included on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity list. Diversity MBA Magazine has also included Novant Health on its 2020 list of “Best Places for Women & Diverse Managers to Work.” In 2020, Novant Health provided more than $1.02 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.

For more information, please visit our website at NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

American Lung Association

1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org