When Warren Meyer, 70, visited his doctor for a routine checkup, he asked about screening his lungs because he had previously smoked and lost his wife to lung cancer. His physician referred him for a low-dose CT scan at AdventHealth, which is part of an early detection program.
“I had quit smoking and felt healthy, but after losing my wife to lung cancer, I just wanted to be sure,” Meyer said. “That simple decision made all the difference. If I hadn’t asked for that scan, I might not be here today.”
The scan found a small nodule in his left lung. A team at AdventHealth Daytona Beach reviewed the results quickly. Radiologist Dr. Roberto Medina confirmed it looked concerning but emphasized that finding it early allowed prompt action.
“Early detection changes everything,” Medina said. “On Mr. Meyer’s scan, we identified a small nodule that raised concern. Because it was found so early, our team could act quickly while the cancer was still small.”
After confirmation of the diagnosis, nurse navigators scheduled follow-up scans and surgical consultations for Meyer. When surgery became necessary, the thoracic surgery team at AdventHealth performed the procedure at their Palm Coast location so Meyer could keep his vacation plans.
Under Dr. Patrick Mangonon’s care — who practices at both AdventHealth Daytona Beach and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway — surgeons removed the cancer while it was still contained.
“Every early diagnosis gives us a chance at a cure,” said Mangonon. “When we can remove a tumor before symptoms even start, that’s what changes the story — and the survival rate — for our community.”
Since Meyer’s cancer was detected early, only surgery was needed. Six weeks later he celebrated his birthday cancer-free on a cruise.
Meyer’s case is one of many in the AdventHealth East Florida Division benefiting from new approaches to detecting lung cancer earlier. The Division includes seven hospitals and several outpatient sites across Flagler, Lake, and Volusia counties working together to improve access to specialized care.
Two programs are central to these efforts: one offers proactive low-dose CT screenings for high-risk individuals; another uses artificial intelligence to review thousands of imaging reports each month and flag suspicious findings discovered incidentally during unrelated tests.
These initiatives have reduced average time from diagnosis to treatment from about 90 days nationally to just 30 days within the Division.
“When lung cancer is diagnosed, the clock starts,” said Jennifer Bottke, advanced practice registered nurse in cardiothoracic surgery at AdventHealth Daytona Beach and Palm Coast Parkway. “For Mr. Meyer, we efficiently coordinated pre-operative testing and scheduled his surgery at our hospital in Palm Coast to meet his preferred timeline. Our goal is always to move patients from diagnosis to treatment as quickly and safely as possible, because the shortest time frame can make all the difference.”
In 2024 more patients in this region were diagnosed with early-stage rather than late-stage lung cancer—a shift doctors say improves survival rates.
“Every early diagnosis is a chance at a cure,” Mangonon added.“For years, we saw most patients when surgery was no longer an option.Now,we’re finding more cancers when we can still remove them,and that means more people living full lives after diagnosis.”
While only about 5–6% of eligible Americans get screened for lung cancer nationally,the rate across AdventHealth East Florida Division is three times higher.The AI-powered program has reviewed over 48,000 scans in its first year,finding 50 cancers.Its combined efforts are expected to help diagnose over 100 cases annually,many at earlier stages where they are more treatable.
“These programs are changing outcomes here at home,” said Sandra Jennings,director of oncology support and education.“Every early cancer we find represents a life that can be changed—and often,saved.Screening gives our neighbors a chance to stay healthy enough to keep doing the things that make them feel whole—working,traveling,and spending time with family.”
Interventional pulmonologist Dr.Wallace Thomas stated,“If you wait for symptoms,you’re already behind.Screening gives us a fighting chance to find it before it’s too late.”
AdventHealth Orlando is located in Orlando, Florida.It was founded in 1908.The hospital has pediatric facilities,is used as a training site,and its current president is Terry Shaw (https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-orlando).
