Have you recently quit smoking or are wanting to quit?

Elgin, Ill. - In celebration of the Great American Smokeout, Advocate Sherman Hospital is encouraging smokers to go the distance and give up smoking.

Residents who recently quit smoking or are wanting to quit can stop by The Centre of Elgin from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, for a free one-on-one consultation with nurse practitioners to see if they are eligible for Sherman Hospital's new lung cancer screening program.

Criteria for insurance coverage for the screening program is mandated by Medicare as follows: age 55 to 74; current or former smoker who quit within the past 15 years; 30 pack-year or greater smoking history; and no signs, symptoms or history of lung cancer.

For patients who want a screening, but don't meet the criteria, Sherman Hospital Respiratory Care Advanced Practice Nurse Judith Castro will review the pros and cons of testing. If patients still want to proceed, they may pay for the screening out-of-pocket at a cost of $302.

Also during the free event, attendees will be provided with free resources to help quit smoking, stay on track and improve overall respiratory health.

Participants who commit to quit smoking during the event will receive a free cold turkey sandwich.

For more information or to register, call (800) 3-ADVOCATE or visit www.advocatehealth.com/classes.