Like most lung-cancer patients, Pat Vigneau had no symptoms of her disease in its early, most treatable stages. Fortunately, a simple screening caught her cancer early. Today, the Cinnaminson resident is cancer-free and thriving, after treatment in 2022 at Virtua Health.

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Vigneau is just one example of how Virtua’s early-detection program has shown remarkable results – dramatically increasing the number of lung cancers found early by the South Jersey health system.

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In many other cases, Virtua is catching and treating early lung cancers found unexpectedly when a patient undergoes tests for an unrelated health issue.

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While New Jersey and national averages for early-stage lung cancer diagnosis are just 27.7% and 26.6%, respectively, Virtua’s rate is 52.2%. That means more than half of Virtua patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at the earliest, most curable stages: 1 or 2.

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“I’m incredibly proud of Virtua’s accomplishment, which is saving lives across South Jersey,” said Virtua thoracic surgeon Matthew Puc, MD, medical director of the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program.

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“Survival rates are higher when we identify and treat lung cancer in these early stages,” he explained. “Plus, people with early-stage lung cancer usually require less treatment. In most cases, as with Pat Vigneau, patients have surgery to remove the cancer, and they don’t need other therapies,” he explained.

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“I’m extremely grateful to my Virtua team,” said Vigneau, who’s now 68. “I’ve been able to continue doing all the things I love – traveling with my husband, country line dancing, visiting with my family and friends. And I recently joined a seniors’ bowling league, which I’m really enjoying.”

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Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer. Each year, more people die from lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. However, once a person notices symptoms of lung cancer, the disease is at an advanced stage with a five-year survival rate of 15% or less. Finding lung cancer early – before symptoms occur – greatly improves a person’s chances of survival. For lung cancers found in stages 1 or 2, the average five-year survival rate is 65%.

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Virtua has also increased the number of lung screenings it performs by more than 20% since 2023. This year, the organization is on track to provide over 1,400 such screenings.

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Technology, Timely Follow-Up Enhance Care
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Virtua attributes its early-detection success to several factors, including the use of an innovative, A.I.-powered platform that helps identify potential lung-cancer patients via their electronic health records.

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For example, a Virtua patient may receive testing (such as an MRI, x-ray, or CT scan) for something unrelated – such as hip or stomach pain – and those tests may reveal an unexpected or “incidental” finding of a small growth in the lung. About 95% of such lung nodules are found incidentally, and many require follow-up or monitoring to ensure they are benign.

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In other cases – as with Pat Vigneau – current and former smokers are advised to have a screening CT scan of their lungs, which can detect early cancers. (Vigneau quit smoking many years ago.)

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The A.I. platform, offered by Eon, keeps Virtua’s cancer team informed of these findings and helps to ensure timely follow-up testing and treatment.

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“This system keeps us updated on each patient’s needs and situation, so we can provide the right care at the right time for every person,” said Deborah Friedman, director of oncology services at the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program. “It helps us make sure patients are coming back for the life-saving care they need, and that no one slips through the cracks.”

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In fact, the Eon Center of Excellence recently presented Virtua with its “Excellence in Early Detection” award for the organization’s outstanding results.

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“Virtua truly stands out as a leader that uses all available tools to find and treat lung cancer early,” said Scott Skibo, MD, Eon’s chief medical officer. “We're proud to recognize them for their terrific achievements in early detection, and are excited to continue to support their patients and community in overcoming lung cancer."

Rise in Lung Screenings
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Additionally, Virtua has undertaken campaigns to educate both patients and doctors about the importance of lung screenings for those at high risk for lung cancer.

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“Since lung cancer symptoms don’t usually occur until stage 4, it’s incredibly important for both providers and the general public to know about early screenings,” said Lindsay Davies, lead clinical navigator for the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program.

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Virtua provides these low-dose CT scans at all five of its hospitals and four other radiology facilities across South Jersey. Health insurance often covers this screening for people who qualify for it. And Virtua provides financial assistance for those who are uninsured.

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If a lung nodule is not cancerous, doctors may still recommend annual monitoring for any changes. Virtua’s Lung Nodule Program, supported by Eon’s A.I. platform, ensures patients receive this ongoing attention.

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Coordinated, Comprehensive Services
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Davies and other specialized nurse navigators guide Virtua lung patients through each step of the process. If a patient has a suspicious area or a lung-cancer finding, the navigator fast-tracks that person for their next steps in diagnosis and treatment.

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“Eon provides us with the data we need, and our navigators act on this information,” said Virtua’s Dr. Puc.

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Virtua’s Lung Nodule Program, for example, ensures follow-up for patients who’ve had an incidental nodule identified. A team of specialists works together with the patient’s primary care physician to provide prompt evaluation, diagnosis, and monitoring of pulmonary nodules. All high-risk findings and newly diagnosed cancer cases are presented to a group of Virtua lung-cancer experts who develop a personalized treatment plan.

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In addition, Virtua’s Comprehensive Lung Program includes:

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• High-risk lung cancer screening for certain current and former smokers over age 50. This low-radiation CT scan is the only deliberate way to detect lung cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
• Smoking-cessation programs, including free classes, one-on-one counseling (covered by most insurance plans), nicotine patches, and discounted acupuncture. Nutrition and weight-management programs are also available.

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Other leading-edge services for lung cancer care at Virtua include:

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• The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Proton Therapy Center, South Jersey’s only facility providing the most advanced form of radiation therapy for a range of cancers and other conditions.
• An innovative drug that “lights up” lung cancer cells, enabling surgeons to better see and remove tumors. Virtua is the first provider in South Jersey to offer the drug, called Cytalux®.
• Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, which enables physicians to access and biopsy very small, hard-to-reach growths in the lungs.
• Virtua’ partnership with Penn Medicine for cancer care, which offers patients access to world-class medical advances, including the latest clinical trials.

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For more information or to speak with a Virtua lung nurse navigator, call 856-247-7393.

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As seen on Virtua.org