Oak Lawn event to break lung cancer stigma, encourage screening
Oak Lawn event to break lung cancer stigma, encourage screening
Advocate Christ Medical Center to help patients, families and community members learn about lung cancer risk and early detection at Nov. 4 event
OAK LAWN, Ill. – Advocate Christ Medical Center will bring patients, families and community members together Nov. 4 to break down lung cancer stigma and encourage more people at risk to consider screening.
Shine a Light on Lung Cancer, a free evening program for people affected by the disease, will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Advocate Christ Medical Center Outpatient Pavilion Community Room, 4440 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn. Presented in partnership with Gilda’s Club Chicago, the event will give attendees an opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences and learn about advances in lung cancer treatment. A light dinner will be served, with free parking available.
“Lung cancer can carry a stigma because of its association with smoking, but no one should feel blamed for a cancer diagnosis,” said Dr. Paul Gordon, thoracic surgeon at Advocate Christ Medical Center. “Shine a Light brings patients, families and community members together in a welcoming setting to ask questions, understand their risk and learn how screening and early detection can help save lives.”
The event comes during Lung Cancer Awareness Month and at a time when many people who are eligible for lung cancer screening aren't receiving the recommended screenings. Only about 1 in 5 eligible adults in the U.S. was up to date with lung cancer screening in 2024, according to the National Cancer Institute. The agency also reports that more lung cancers are being diagnosed at an early stage, when the disease is more treatable.
People aged 50 to 80 who currently smoke or smoked in the past may be eligible for annual lung cancer screening based on their smoking history. Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan to detect signs of the disease before symptoms develop. The scan is painless and takes only a few minutes.
“Lung cancer can develop before people notice symptoms, which is why screening is so important for people at higher risk,” Dr. Gordon said. “I understand why some people may be afraid of what a screening could find, but when we find lung cancer early, we may have more options to treat it, including less invasive approaches.”
During Shine a Light, Dr. Gordon will discuss lung cancer risk factors, screening, early detection and advances in treatment. Patients, family members and others affected by or interested in learning more about lung cancer are welcome to attend. To attend this event, register by emailing Susan Latocha, community health and wellness coordinator, Advocate Health Care, at Susan.Latocha@advocatehealth.org.
Event details
What: Shine a Light on Lung Cancer
When: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Where: Advocate Christ Medical Center Outpatient Pavilion Community Room, 4440 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn
Parking: Free parking is available
Cost: Free; a light dinner will be served
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