In December of 2023, Med Center Health created the Lung Nodule Program as part of its efforts to fight the high prevalence and death rates of lung cancer in Kentucky. The Lung Nodule Program’s goal is to detect lung nodules at the earliest stages to either prevent serious issues before they occur or to treat concerns quickly by offering a variety of options tailored to a patient’s specific diagnosis.
Med Center Health’s Lung Nodule Program consists of a team of 11 providers, including pulmonologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons. Together, this team of providers has more than 200 years of clinical experience in a wide variety of disciplines. Every Friday, this team meets to view and discuss patients that may need further examination.
“The earlier lung cancer is discovered and diagnosed, the higher the survivability,” said Jennifer Finch, Director of Clinical Integration for the Lung Nodule Program. “At Stage I, there is a 90% chance of overcoming the disease. If you are diagnosed at Stage IV, you are going to have just a 10% chance of surviving. This is why we want to be proactive in reaching out to patients when a nodule is reported in their imaging.”
Butler County native, Carla Goodley, had received a chest x-ray where the radiologist reported an incidental and potentially cancerous lung nodule. Carla and her mother attended church and spoke about her recent diagnosis, and a clinician from Med Center Health heard Carla’s story and asked if it would be okay if she referred Carla to Med Center Health’s Lung Nodule Program.
On the next day, Carla was referred to the Lung Nodule Program, and within 24 hours she was contacted by a Med Center Health employee to schedule an appointment for the end of the week. On Friday, Carla met with Med Center Health pulmonologist, Dr. Rodney Steff, and Dr. Steff was able to biopsy her nodule the following Wednesday. Carla’s lung nodule was, in fact, cancerous.
“Dr. Steff was amazing,” said Goodley. “He let me know that we were going to get this figured out, and he told me that we were going to be able to take care of this. It was just so amazing how quick everything went. I was just so at ease with their doctors.”
Fortunately, Carla’s lung cancer was found at a very early stage, meaning she had an increased chance of surviving. Later in the month, Carla was scheduled for an operation with cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Paul Moore. Dr. Moore was able to completely remove the lung nodule during the procedure.
“Dr. Moore explained everything to me about what they were going to do and how the surgery would work, and it’s just been amazing how good I feel,” said Goodley. “I’m still a little numb, and they said that could take a year, and I still have a scar, but you know what? I can live with a scar.”
Carla had a CT scan in September, and she has no detectable cancer.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a lung nodule or believe that you are at risk for lung cancer, call the Med Center Health Lung Nodule Program at 270-535-6886.
-submitted by Med Center Health
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