Silver Cross Lung Screening Helps Rockdale Woman Before She Knew She Even Needed It

Since she had been smoking for more than 40 years, “Bee’s” primary care physician thought it would be a good idea for her to sign up for the Lung Cancer Screening at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

The screening includes a quick, painless and non-invasive low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer. The screening can detect nodules or spots on your lung that might be early indicators of lung cancer.

It takes only a few minutes to have a scan, and studies show the screening can reduce lung cancer death rates by 20 percent.

Bee had her first scan three years ago. It showed nothing major. She missed the annual scan in 2024, but in 2025, she was referred to Dr. Nischal Raya, an independent pulmonologist on the medical staff at Silver Cross Hospital, after the CT scan showed a small spot on her lower left lung.

“I never had any symptoms,” said Bee, 63, of Rockdale. “So I was kind of surprised. Three years of scans, nothing. Then this.”

Dr. Raya biopsied the nodule in January and found Stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma. Bee then was scheduled for surgery only a week later on February 2 with Dr. Gillian Alex, a board-certified thoracic surgeon on the medical staff at Silver Cross Hospital.

“We were able to perform the surgery robotically, through her side and between the ribs, removing the lower part of her left lobe without damaging any surrounding tissue,” said Dr. Alex.

The surgery took only about two hours, Dr. Alex said, and Bee returned home in a few days.

“She did great,” Dr. Alex said. “And she’s scheduled to come in for her first post-surgery scan in August.”

Bee said she was back to work as an office manager a few weeks after surgery. More importantly, she again was able to take walks with her 4-year-old Black Lab, Teeter.

“Silver Cross was just unbelievable,” she said. “Everything went so smoothly; they are like a well-oiled machine.”

Are you a candidate for the Silver Cross Lung Cancer Screening?

If you meet the following criteria and don’t exhibit typical symptoms of lung cancer (such as cough, chest pain, weight loss), you’re a candidate for this screening:

·50 to 80 years old

·Smoked at least 1 pack a day for 20 years and are a current smoker or have a history of smoking

OR

·Smoked 1/2 pack a day for 40 years, are a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years

·Generally in good health

If you are eligible, the screening should be repeated annually or as directed by your doctor.

To learn more about lung care at the Midwest Institute for Lung at Silver Cross Hospital, visit silvercross.org