DHR HEALTH FEATURE STORY

For 73 year-old Juan Camacho, lighting a cigarette every day for 60 years was just a normal way of life. And like many longtime smokers, he knew the risks, but quitting seemed like an impossible goal. But a routine check-up with his primary care physician would ultimately save his life and he wouldn’t even know it.

During his regular checkup visit, Camacho’s primary care physician, Dr. Carolina Gomez de Ziegler, encouraged him to undergo a low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening, a recommendation she made based on his age and his smoking history.

At first, he hesitated. 

“I felt fine. I wasn’t coughing, and I didn’t feel sick,” he recalls. “But the doctor insisted and thank God she did,” Camacho said.

The LDCT scan, which only took a few minutes, revealed a suspicious nodule deep within Camacho’s lung. It was small but he would soon find out it was dangerous.

He was referred to Dr. Federico Vallejo, a DHR Health pulmonologist and Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopist who performs the crucial diagnostic procedure with the Ion, which is the only robotic-assisted bronchoscopy tool south of San Antonio, available to DHR Health. With this cutting edge technology, Vallejo is able to reach and biopsy hard-to-access lung nodules in a minimally invasive manner.

“When I was studying Mr. Camacho’s scan, I saw a pulmonary nodule which was concerning because of his family history of lung cancer,” said Vallejo. “And the results of the biopsy showed that he, in fact, had lung cancer. I knew it was in the early stages and knew we had to act fast so it wouldn’t spread.”

Vallejo quickly contacted DHR Health cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Victor Reis, to set up a surgery day to remove the cancerous tissue. Within 14 days, Camacho was diagnosed and underwent a robotic procedure to remove the affected area of the lung. The procedure was successful and within a day, Camacho was back at home. He was able to make a full recovery and today is cancer-free.

“I would of never thought that a routine visit with my primary care doctor and a simple scan would save my life,” said Camacho. “I’ve been given a second chance at life and now I tell everyone to get screened.”

Camacho’s story is a powerful reminder to all about the importance of following up with your healthcare providers and how early screening and multidisciplinary care at DHR Health can significantly improve your survival rate. It could save your life—just like it did for Camacho.

This is why at DHR Health, we have a dedicated lung navigator and team of expert physicians to help coordinate care and guide you every step of the way—from screening to diagnosis and treatment and recovery. As a nationally designated Lung Cancer Screening and Care Center of Excellence from the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, DHR Health is the only health system south of San Antonio that is equipped to provide high quality and coordinated lung cancer care.

DHR Health has extended their $99 LDCT lung cancer screening special though December 31 and encourages those who qualify to take advantage of this potentially lifesaving screening. For more information or to schedule a LDCT screening, call (956) 362-LUNG (5864).

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