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Lung Cancer Screening Program
Lung cancer screening has shown that we can detect cancer much earlier in people most at risk.
Vietnam War Veteran and Marathon Runner Back on Track after Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Bruce Andrews prides himself on being competitive. The 76-year-old Brooklyn resident says it’s a trait that served him well working for a hardware wholesaler for 31 years, selling to lumber yards and hardware stores. “I had a large territory and being competitive helped since the more you sell the better you do,” he says. “My territory was really good, but it was also very busy and taxing.” When retiring from his wholesale job, he transitioned to his “retirement job” at a retail store with more manageable hours.
Less work means more time for activities
Always an active person, Bruce enjoys fishing and golfing in his spare time. His interest as a casual runner became more intense over the past few years. “I started doing a few races and my competitive side kicked in, so I started training and winning,” he notes. The number of races including those he has won have been impressive with at last count participating and winning numerous 63 half marathons, a full marathon, duathlons and triathlons in the past couple of decades.
He considers himself lucky that with his active lifestyle he has avoided injuries and until recently never had any major health issues.
A flutter in his heart prompts a doctor visit
After running in the Jackson Groundhog Gallop race in February, 2023 Bruce noticed his heart felt a little noisy and decided to see his primary care physician to rule out any heart and medical issues. An EKG was normal, however an X-ray revealed a spot on his left lung. Bruce was then referred to Anish Wadhwa, MD, Henry Ford Jackson pulmonologist who continued to monitor the spot for changes. An initial biopsy and subsequent scans were inconclusive with no initial changes in the spot after several months of monitoring. The lung monitoring during this time did not deter Bruce from leading an active lifestyle. “My lung function and breathing were great so I continued running and winning races.”
After heading to Florida for the winter, a scan in the spring of 2024, revealed a change in the spot. Another biopsy showed that the growth was malignant.
A shocking lung cancer diagnosis
Bruce, who never smoked, said despite the monitoring, the lung cancer diagnosis was a tough pill to swallow. “I had people tell me they couldn’t believe I had lung cancer. I was still running and winning races. It was hard to believe, however my surgeon, Dr. Mohan Kulkarni told me up to 20 percent of lung cancer cases in the U.S. occur in people who have not smoked regularly.”
Although the diagnosis was difficult to come to terms with, Bruce felt fortunate he was able to consult with Dr. Kulkarni, a thoracic surgeon with Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, who is known internationally for his expertise in thoracic surgery including robotic and minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Kulkarni emphasizes whether someone has a history of smoking or not, it’s important to raise awareness of the prevalence of this disease.
“Lung cancer kills more Americans than breast and colon combined,” he explains. “It is important to promote lung cancer screening aggressively to get at this cancer in its early stages since it leads to more cures.”
Bruce says after the diagnosis, he put his trust in Dr. Kulkarni to do what was necessary to manage his condition. “I felt confident and at ease with Dr. Kulkarni who has a reputation as an excellent thoracic surgeon,” Bruce says. “He explained that due to the location of the tumor and the fact that my right lung was healthy, it would be best to remove the entire left lung.”
Dr. Kulkarni noted because Bruce’s tumor was large and crossing into the upper lobe it was best to remove the entire lung and not leave any disease behind. “Mr. Andrews was so motivated and enthusiastic and the best candidate for a pneumonectomy to remove his lung, I have ever had,” he says. “He recovery has been excellent, going home just three days after surgery.”
Not one to sit still for long, Bruce was back to walking up to two miles per day after just a few weeks of his surgery at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital.
As a precautionary measure, he will also undergo a few chemotherapy treatments managed by Elias Hazzi, MD, Henry Ford Jackson oncologist, to help ensure the cancer does not return. “We are lucky to have such a comprehensive multi-specialty group including a robust radiation and medical oncology group here at Henry Ford Jackson to take care of lung cancer in all its stages,” notes Dr. Kulkarni.
Moving forward after surgery
The Vietnam veteran who served for several years beginning in 1972 in the Air Force and National Guard at times wonders what may have triggered his lung cancer, but he has chosen to focus on being grateful to his health care team and returning to doing things he loves to do. “I’m very thankful to all the excellent doctors, nurses and staff at Henry Ford Jackson”, he expresses. “At my age, I look forward to going back to fishing and golfing and to be around for my fellow runners and cheer them on at the finish line! I’m not sure I will get back to marathon running, but if I did I wouldn’t be surprised if I win in the one lung category,” he muses.
For further information visit lung cancer treatment at Henry Ford Health.