Bricca Addison, a retired transportation dispatcher, learned she had lung cancer after being referred for screening by her primary care physician. Addison, who previously smoked, met the guidelines recommending lung cancer screening for people aged 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history.
Sara Ghandehari, MD, medical director of the Lung Cancer Screening Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, explained that Addison’s care was managed by nurse practitioner Deborah Gregory. “This patient’s care was guided from screening through diagnosis by our excellent nurse practitioner Deborah Gregory,” Ghandehari said. “Deborah gathered recommendations from our multidisciplinary team and even helped the patient navigate insurance hurdles to keep her treatment on track, simplifying the process and ensuring fast access to follow-up care. For people at increased risk for developing lung cancer, screening and early detection can save lives.”
Addison is now cancer-free following early detection and treatment at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. The screening process uses a noninvasive low-dose CT scan to detect possible cancers or precancerous nodules in the lungs. Addison had been screened since 2021; in 2024, a scan found changes in a small nodule in her right lung.
Christopher Lee, MD, radiologist and imaging director of the Lung Cancer Screening Program, read Addison’s scans. “The nodule measured 11 millimeters, which is quite small,” Lee said. “A nodule of this size would never be noticed without a CT scan since they do not cause symptoms until they become much larger. That’s basically what we’re trying to catch with screening: early-stage cancers that are potentially curable.”
After biopsy confirmed cancer, thoracic surgeon Andrew Brownlee, MD told Addison about her options. “He told me that my cancer was at an early stage and in the best place that I could have it,” Addison said. “He said he would remove that lobe and my cancer would be gone. So I didn’t have to have chemotherapy, I didn’t have to have radiation. I have to have a CT scan every six months for the next two years, but that is all.”
Addison underwent robotic surgery on February 17 due to the tumor’s small size and early stage.
“Lung cancer surgery has made tremendous advances in recent decades, and one of those is the use of minimally invasive procedures,” Brownlee said. “We perform the lion’s share of lung cancer surgeries using the robotic platform. Patients have the same outcomes, but with a faster, easier recovery—less time in the hospital, less postoperative discomfort and a faster return to their everyday life with minimal impact on their breathing.”
Brownlee noted that removing part of Addison’s right lung would not significantly affect her breathing because other parts compensate for lost function.
“We all start out with more lung capacity than we need,” Brownlee said. “So when we remove one lobe, the other lobes can compensate.”
Addison returned home two days after surgery.
Robert Figlin, MD, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer commented: “Early detection and leading-edge treatment are hallmarks of patient care at Cedars-Sinai Cancer,” Figlin said. “We are dedicated to producing the best possible outcomes at every turn.”
Addison encourages others who qualify for screening to pursue it: “It is very important,” she said, “especially if you are a smoker or have been a smoker. If it hadn’t been for my screening, my cancer wouldn’t have been caught in time.”
She added: “Cancer is a scary word,” sharing her family history with cancer deaths but expressing optimism about her own outcome: “Nobody wants to hear that word…I do not need radiation, do not need chemotherapy, and I’m fine. I can go ahead and live my life.”
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is located in Los Angeles and was founded in 1902. Its president is Thomas M. Priselac; it serves as both a pediatric facility and training hospital; according to its 2022 annual report over 50 thousand patients were admitted during that year (https://www.cedars-sinai.org/).
More information about lung cancer screenings can be found on Cedars-Sinai’s blog.
