Advanced Technology Helps
Identify Cancer Early

Caldwell Memorial Hospital announces its addition of the latest diagnostic tool in the fi ght against cancer, positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). PET/CT is a whole-body imaging procedure used to battle most cancers, including lung, colorectal, lymphoma, and breast.

One in three people will experience cancer in their lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1.4 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed this year alone in the United States, with an estimated 38,000 in North Carolina.

PET/CT is an advanced technology that provides better cancer care for patients. This noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure is a single exam that evaluates the whole body with the mission of detecting cancerous cells the size of a pea. PET/CT studies focus on cellular activity to diagnose, stage, evaluate treatment, and detect recurrent cancer.

Early detection of cancer is one important feature of PET/CT scans. According to Laura Easton, President and CEO of Caldwell Memorial Hospital, “PET/CT helps physicians identify cells that grow at a very fast rate, which is the case with cancer cells.” In many cancer types, early detection of the cancer has been directly linked to the success of the patient’s outcome.

“PET has revolutionized the world of diagnostic imaging,” explains Ted Yaeger, MD, Associate Professor at Wake Forest University and Medical Director of The Allene Broyhill Stevens Heilman Radiation Oncology Center at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. “Having this technology readily available allows us to continue providing our community with the highest level of quality of cancer diagnosis and treatment"