Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States,  But despite its deadly toll, lung cancer remains one of the most under-discussed when it comes to regular screening. As World Lung Day approaches on Aug. 1, FirstHealth is shining a light on the impact of early detection.

“If we catch it early, it’s curable,” said Bradley Icard, D.O., board certified specialist in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine and the medical director of FirstHealth’s Lung Screening Program, in a press release.

Dr. Icard recently joined FirstHealth Pulmonology and Pinehurst Medical Clinic and brings extensive experience in lung cancer screening and advanced bronchoscopy, with a strong commitment to improving early detection and patient outcomes.

Patients eligible for lung cancer screening—generally adults aged 50 to 80 with a history of heavy smoking—undergo a low-dose CT scan that takes less than 10 minutes. The scan can help to detect small pulmonary nodules before they cause symptoms. 

If abnormalities are detected, Dr. Icard and his team can use advanced robotic bronchoscopy to biopsy nodules with precision and minimal discomfort—no stitches, no hospital stay.

 “We’re doing more than 20 robotic bronchoscopies a month,”  Dr. Icard confirmed in a press release. “We’re identifying small tumors early, when they’re still highly treatable.”

Dr. Icard’s expertise further strengthens FirstHealth’s commitment to delivering world-class lung care close to home. 

For Dr. Icard, the results speak volumes. “Patients with stage 1 lung cancer under 10 millimeters in size have a 95% five-year survival rate,” he noted in a press release. “Compare that to advanced stages, where 85% of patients won’t survive five years despite treatment. The difference early detection makes is everything.”

For patients who face barriers to transportation or live in rural areas, FirstHealth is meeting them where they are—literally. The Lung Bus, a mobile imaging unit equipped with a 40-slice low-dose CT scanner, travels throughout the region to bring life-saving lung cancer screenings into communities.

Made possible by the support of the Foundation of FirstHealth, the Lung Bus has already screened hundreds of patients, with multiple lung nodules detected early thanks to this effort.

“It only takes 320 lung cancer screenings to save a life, compared to nearly 1,800 colonoscopies or 900 mammograms,” Dr. Icard explained in a press release. “These screenings are critical—and we’re making them accessible.”

To learn more about lung screenings or find a Lung Bus location near you, visit www.firsthealth.org/lungbus or call (910) 715-LUNG.