Innovation Corner: Fighting Lung Cancer

Cabell Huntington Hospital becomes the first hospital in West Virginia to use MONARCH™ QUEST technology to examine lungs

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but early detection significantly improves survival rates. Patients across our region now have expanded access to some of the most advanced diagnostic tools available.

Marshall Health Network hospitals are leading the way with the MONARCH™ platform, a robotically assisted bronchoscopy system that allows physicians to precisely navigate deep into the lungs to biopsy small or hard-to-reach nodules without surgery.

Cabell Huntington Hospital became the first hospital in West Virginia to perform a bronchoscopy using MONARCH™ QUEST, the AI-enhanced upgrade to the robotic platform. The procedure was led by Yousef Shweihat, MD, interventional pulmonologist and professor at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. Cabell Huntington Hospital was also among the first hospitals in the nation to adopt MONARCH’s robotic technology, and Dr. Shweihat has now completed more than 300 robotic cases.

St. Mary’s Medical Center has further expanded access by launching its own MONARCH™ robotic lung bronchoscopy service, with the first procedure performed by Nepal Chowdhury, MD, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon.

Could You Be at Risk for Lung Cancer?

You may qualify for a low-dose CT lung screening if you:

• Are age 50 to 80
• Have a history of smoking (20 pack-years or more)
• Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years

Marshall Health Network offers low-dose CT lung screenings without a referral. To schedule, call 304.781.LUNG (5864).