Novant Health uses new tech to improve early lung cancer detection

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The key to effectively treating lung cancer is detecting it early on.

A new technology may help identify the disease before it progresses to advanced stages.

Novant Health is utilizing Ion robotic bronchoscopy, which allows for a minimally invasive biopsy of lung nodules that are difficult to reach, ultimately improving the time to diagnosis. This technology uses a steerable catheter that can travel deep into the lungs, reaching hidden cancerous nodules that are often inaccessible with a traditional external needle biopsy.

The catheter can be angled up to 180 degrees and is equipped with a camera and GPS-like navigation system to guide physicians to lung lesions.

Novant Health pulmonologist Nathan Meier, says this advancement is a significant breakthrough that has the potential to save lives.

“It makes lung cancer screening just a very more a much more effective tool, whole goal is trying to catch lung cancer cases earlier and earlier in the disease course when cancer stage one or stage two.”

Currently, only 28% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage. This robotic technology was made possible through funding from the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation.