Chaudhuri talks cancer, importance of regular screenings during monthly chamber luncheon

All women over the age of 40 should get an annual mammogram to catch breast cancer earlier. Both men and women, who are at high risk to get lung cancer, should get annual CT scans in order to catch lung cancer sooner.

This was part of the message that Dr. Parul Chaudhuri delivered during the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon, which was held Tuesday at the Corbin Center.

Chaudhuri joined the Baptist Health Medical Group on Sept. 1 specializing in hematology and oncology. She speaks five languages and her hobbies include running half marathons.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in women, but it is starting to go down thanks to early detection and better therapy, she noted.

Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus also encouraged the crowd at Tuesday’s luncheon to get annual mammograms noting that getting her annual mammogram at Baptist Health Corbin is quick and easy. It usually only takes about 30 minutes, which is less time than it takes her at the dentist to get her teeth cleaned.

Those at high risk for lung cancer include people ages 50 and older, who smoked for 20 years or more, those, who have quit within the last 15 years, and those currently still smoking, Chaudhuri noted.

She said that about 250,000 people die annually from lung cancer, but low dose CT scans are now available so yearly testing can be done.

Studies show an almost 20 percent decrease in the mortality rate for lung cancer among those getting the annual CT scans, Chaudhuri added.

Given that October is breast cancer awareness month and November is lung cancer awareness month, Chaudhuri noted this is a good time to have conversations with family members and loved ones about getting tested regularly.

Baptist Health Corbin was the sponsor of Tuesday’s monthly membership luncheon.

Next month’s chamber luncheon will take place on Oct. 11 in Williamsburg.