Shining a light on lung cancer: The life-saving power of early detection

November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month and it is an important time to support those currently facing a diagnosis, learn the warning signs and know your risk for being diagnosed. UHS is committed to making sure patients are more aware about lung cancer and building healthier lifestyles to help reduce their risk of diagnosis.

According to the Lung Cancer Research Group, lung cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. By the end of 2024, it is projected there will be over 234,000 new cases diagnosed. Although lung cancer treatment has seen advances in research, early detection remains one of the largest variables for survival.

At UHS, our teams are dedicated to innovating care from diagnosis to treatment. Our team recently began utilizing the Ion robotic bronchoscopy tool to perform lung biopsies with precision. With this new technology, UHS is helping patients detect the early signs of lung cancer.

Physicians use Ion to access all 18 segments of the lungs and is equipped with an ultra-thin and highly maneuverable catheter, which facilitates navigation into the far reaches of the peripheral lung. This advanced technology improves access, stability and precision compared to traditional manual techniques, offering a more effective approach to diagnosing and treating lung conditions.

“Quite honestly, it’s the latest and greatest in technology in terms of bronchoscopy,” says Trevor Flanagan, MHA, BS, RRT, manager of Pulmonary Services at UHS.

For the Pulmonary Department, the Ion gives physicians a chance to intervene and diagnose cancer early, before symptoms occur, for those who have regular screenings—ultimately saving lives. The American Lung Association estimates 23% of new lung cancer cases are detected at an early stage, helping patients achieve a five-year survival rate of 63%. Before the Ion, many patients were placed on a watch and wait list, which sometimes resulted in later intervention.

Candita Lee believes early intervention with the Ion robotic bronchoscopy this past summer helped save her life. Ms. Lee was admitted to the hospital for a gastrointestinal bleed. Yet, when a CT scan of her abdomen showed a mark of concern in her lung, exploration began.

A pulmonologist recommended she have a bronchoscopy and PET scan to determine if the mark from her CT scan was indeed cancer. With the help of the Ion, the pulmonary and cardiothoracic teams were able to detect and remove the tumor and the lobe, leaving her cancer-free with no need for radiation.

“I know a lot of people just shy away from and won’t get any procedures done, and that’s just not the answer because it turned out the tumor I had was very aggressive,” says Ms. Lee. “So it was by luck that they found it, and I’m glad it’s gone.”

With a prior surgical history, Ms. Lee expected a difficult path toward recovery. However, the Ion procedures ensured that she had little to no discomfort after waking up from general anesthesia.

“I would never have known I had a procedure done,” she says. “No sore nose, throat or chest pain. No vomiting, no nausea, no problem!”

The Ion gives patients like Ms. Lee a minimally invasive chance to detect cancer, even in previously hard-to-reach areas of the lung. After visiting with a pulmonologist in an outpatient setting, patients are scheduled for the procedure and given an official pathology diagnosis just a week post-op.

“Most people that have lung cancer don’t have symptoms early in the disease process. Our goal is to screen as many high-risk patients as possible, find those asymptomatic nodules, and intervene and diagnose cancer at early stages to treat and save lives,” says Mr. Flanagan.

One of the leading causes of lung cancer remains smoking. More than 80% of new cases of lung cancer are from smokers. Other causes can be prolonged exposure to radon gas, asbestos, secondhand smoke, air pollution and even genetic factors and family history can play a role in being at risk for lung cancer.

New Yorkers right here at home are not immune from the risk of lung cancer either. An estimated 14,200 cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2024 according to the American Lung Association. As with national trends, smoking is the leading cause followed by radon gas being the second.

To address the leading cause of lung cancer, UHS is joining forces with the American Cancer Society to promote their annual Great American Smokeout to encourage smoking cessation. The Great American Smokeout will be held on Thursday, November 21 and is a national campaign to support people who want to quit. Taking this step is not easy, but developing a plan and working to break the habit can help lead to a healthier life and reducing your risk of cancer. It is not too late to quit using tobacco products. Quitting can have immediate and long-term health benefits.

Another way to reduce your risk and help with early detection is to talk with your doctor about screening for lung cancer—especially if you are at higher risk. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suggests asking your primary care provider about lung cancer screening if you have smoked an average of a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years or who have quit smoking in the past 15 years. It is also recommended that people ages 50-80 be screened for lung cancer.

Reducing your risk and knowing the causes of lung cancer can dramatically improve your survivability if you ever face a diagnosis. Technology like the Ion robotic bronchoscopy is helping patients detect cancer early and helps guide providers to the appropriate next steps of care. UHS is proud to be at the forefront of innovating care to help patients lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

If you believe you are at risk of lung cancer and should be screened, you can request a screening using the online tool found here.