Lung Cancer Identification and Treatment Improves in the Bronx

By Neel P. Chudgar, M.D., cancer surgeon at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center and assistant professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine 

Bronx Voice 

August 6, 2025 

BRONX - Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. — largely because it is diagnosed at a late stage. The five-year survival rate for stage I or II lung cancer is over 65%, compared to just 8% for later-stage III and IV disease, according to the American Lung Association. In the Bronx, historically patients have been diagnosed at more advanced and less curable stages than people in other places in the U.S.

To turn the tide in our community, in 2022 Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) ramped up the lung cancer screening program and developed the Follow-Up ASsessmenT of Lung Nodules (FAST) Clinic. As a result, the rate of detecting patients with stage 1 lung cancer in the Bronx has risen from 25.8% to 37.2%. 

Lung nodules are unexpectedly found during imaging, like an X-ray or chest scan (CT scans), being done for a different reason, like trauma, chest pain, or cardiac workups. In fact, nearly one in every three CT scans performed in the U.S. each year will identify a lung nodule, which appears as a small shadow. This adds up to over 1.5 million incidental lung nodules found each year; however, far too often, lung nodules are overlooked, not tracked, or never communicated to the patient. While most nodules are benign, some are the earliest detectable stage of lung cancer.

The MECCC FAST Clinic care team tracks and manages screening detected and incidental nodules and follows up with patients rapidly to ensure they receive timely and appropriate follow-up care. Since its opening, the clinic has received more than 1,000 referrals, and of these referrals, more than 80 patients have been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Early detection, through the monitoring of lung nodules found in CT scans or lung cancer screening, makes surgery to remove cancer and preserve lung tissue more likely for more patients. This type of surgery involves using small incisions, short hospital stays, and reduced down-time, so patients return to their normal activities sooner. By removing the cancer, we often cure the patient without additional treatment, depending on each patient’s case.

As we approach World Lung Cancer Day on August 1^st, it’s critical to realize that incidental lung nodules are a chance to detect lung cancer at earlier stages—but only if we act on them. If you’ve had a chest CT scan for any reason, ask about your imaging, especially if you’ve had one in the emergency room. Follow up on the results, even if you were told everything was clear. 

As a community, let’s continue to improve the earlier diagnosis of lung cancer. Anyone can reach MECCC’s FAST Clinic by emailing lungnodule@montefiore.org, or for those with a history of cigarette smoking, can contact the Lung Cancer Screening Program for by calling 718-430-3613.