Enhancing Lung Cancer Screenings
MONTROSE, CO: The Montrose Lung & Sleep Center of Montrose Regional Health performed the first Navigational Bronchoscopy in the area and is proud to be a regional resource for lung cancer screenings.
Previously, patients with a suspicious nodule in their lungs often required travel to the front range due to the extensive skill and technology required for the procedure.
“I’m excited to be able to bring this state-of-the-art procedure to Montrose, which allows patients to receive a rapid diagnosis without traveling out of the region,” said pulmonologist Dr. Andrew Hersh.
The procedure, the first of its kind at Montrose Regional Health, was performed by Dr. Andrew Hersh who led a team including Dr. Jeffrey Kay, Elizabeth Malloy, CRNA, respiratory therapists Doug Hook, RRT and Mike Winn, RRT, Jose Hernandez, RTR, Randall Koehn, RN, and Patrick Ackerson, ASCP. The multi-disciplinary team includes representation from Respiratory Therapy, Medical Imaging, Laboratory and other backgrounds.
Nodules in the lungs are sometimes benign but can sometimes be dangerous – and may in fact be lung cancer. For this reason, many patients choose to have their suspicious lung nodules evaluated to better understand their risk. Navigational Bronchoscopy allows patients to receive a biopsy of the nodule, even if the nodule is located deep in the lungs. This type of procedure requires advanced technology. Navigational Bronchoscopy works similar to your car’s GPS: a CT scan provides a road map of where to go in the lung, which allows the provider to go exactly where they need to perform the biopsy needed for the patient.
Lung cancer is a major concern, as it is the second most common cancer in both men and women – making up almost 25% of all cancer deaths according to the American Cancer Society. Causes of lung cancer include smoking, genetic predisposal to lung cancer, and radon. Radon, which is of particular concern in Colorado, is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about this new service offered at Montrose Regional Health, please call 970.252.2753.
About Montrose Regional Health
Montrose Regional Health is a 501(c)3 nonprofit healthcare system serving Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Gunnison, Delta, Hinsdale and San Juan counties.
The health system offers a 75-bed hospital and an extensive range of inpatient & outpatient health care services, including cardiology, oncology, minimally invasive surgery, laboratory, medical imaging/radiology, Mountain View Therapy, Level III Trauma Center, Acute Rehabilitation Unit and the family birthing center. The health system partners with regional providers on joint ventures to meet local healthcare needs, including Black Canyon Surgical Center.
Montrose Regional Health is the second-largest employer in Montrose County, with more than 700 employees and 100 physicians who represent 23 medical specialties.