CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Novant Health patients now have access to state-of-the-art lung cancer biopsy technology thanks to a generous gift from Charlotte residents, Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Sr., and matching fundraising from the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation. Available at the Novant Health Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Cancer Institute in Charlotte, the Ion robotic bronchoscopy technology allows for a minimally invasive biopsy of lung nodules that are often very difficult to reach, ultimately improving time from diagnosis to treatment.
“Someone is diagnosed with lung cancer every two minutes in the U.S., and unfortunately, nearly half of those cases are late stage. We look to change that,” said Dr. David Rizzieri, system physician executive for the Novant Health Cancer Institute and the first Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Endowed Chair. “Because of the Weisiger's generosity, our expert physicians can now perform minimally invasive lung biopsies, finding abnormal nodules sooner than ever, further enhancing Novant Health’s cancer screening and detection capabilities.”
The Weisigers also provided funds for an AI platform that will deploy later in 2024 and will help Novant Health clinicians across North Carolina better predict and diagnose lung cancer. The platform will serve as a second set of eyes for radiologists, analyzing radiology reports in real time.
“Ed and I are deeply invested in advancing cancer care in our community, and we know that early detection is vitally important for cancer survivorship,” said Agnes Weisiger. “We are honored to have a role in making this technology available to the skilled clinicians at the Novant Health Cancer Institute. In their expert hands, this leading technology will not only make the journey from diagnosis to treatment easier for patients – it will ultimately save lives.”
Decreasing time to cancer treatment
Novant Health clinicians developed a multidisciplinary screening protocol to streamline the detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. As a result of the integrated effort, Novant Health patients are assessed and connected to treatment nearly three weeks faster than the national average.
Studies show that every week of delay in starting treatment relates to 1.6% less chance of cure and survival in stage II non-small cell lung cancer and 3.2% less for stage I non-small cell lung cancer. To address this delay, as well as an equity gap in care, Novant Health organized a coordinated, integrated lung cancer program that includes a team of thoracic oncology surgeons, interventional pulmonologists, interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, nurse navigators and oncology pharmacists to examine patients’ diagnosis and treatment options from every angle.
Additionally, Novant Health’s incidental lung nodule program helps detect abnormal nodules in patients who are receiving scans for other health concerns. In partnership with radiology, the lung cancer team developed an electronic system to flag these nodules and ensure appropriate follow-up scans are ordered and completed. For symptomatic patients or those with very concerning findings, scans are reviewed in real time by either a medical oncologist or pulmonologist to determine the appropriate next steps.
Novant Health offers world-class cancer care with more than 106 specialty-trained physicians across 51 clinic locations. The Cancer Institute treats more than 100 different types of cancer with an aggressive, leading-edge approach focused on the patient’s physical and emotional needs. Learn more about Novant Health’s advanced cancer care and cancer treatment options here.
The Weisiger family has a long philanthropic history with Novant Health, including lead gifts toward the development of the Novant Health Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Cancer Institute and the Novant Health Agnes Binder Weisiger Breast Health Center. In 2023 another gift established the Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Endowed Chair to recognize and support the leading-edge work of physicians at the Novant Health Cancer Institute.
“We are amazed by the continued generosity of Agnes and Ed Weisiger to our Novant Health Cancer Institute that will have an incredible impact on our patients across the Novant Health system,” said Ann Caulkins, senior vice president, Novant Health, and president, Novant Health Foundations. “Because of their philanthropy, we have elevated cancer care in this region – from screening and diagnosis to treatment. We are grateful for their support on behalf of all of our patients.”
For more information about the Novant Health Foundation, visit SupportNovantHealth.org/Gratitude.
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