Routine lung scan saves Murfreesboro woman’s life

For five years, Sherry made it part of her routine to schedule both her mammogram and annual lung scan during her yearly physical at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro, Tenn. “It was just something I did,” she said. “A friend had mentioned it to me years ago, and I figured it couldn’t hurt.”

That simple decision, to keep up with regular screenings, may have saved her life.

In March 2025, Sherry went in for her usual lung scan expecting normal results. When she met with her physician, Dr. Awais Javed, pulmonologist at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, she didn’t expect any surprises. But in April, the news came as a shock. “He said, ‘We have a problem, and you need a biopsy,’” Sherry recalled.”“I had no symptoms at all. I felt completely fine.”

To get a closer look, Dr. Javed performed a bronchoscopy using the ION robotic technology, which allows doctors to gently guide a tiny camera and instruments deep into the lungs to take tissue samples. The test confirmed Sherry had an early form of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer. This condition is the most common type of lung cancer found in adults. Fortunately, it was very small and caught before it had a chance to spread.

Sherry was then referred to Dr. John Zubkus, medical oncologist with Tennessee Oncology, who confirmed the cancer was still in its earliest stage. He connected her with Dr. Ward Houck, cardiothoracic surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, who recommended removing the small section of her lung where the cancer was found to prevent it from returning.

On June 26, 2025 Sherry underwent surgery at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. “Everyone there was absolutely wonderful,” she said. “I could not have had better care anywhere.”

After her surgery, a lymph node test confirmed the cancer had not spread, and she did not require chemotherapy or radiation. After a short hospital stay, she returned home determined to rebuild her strength.

With the help of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program and her care team, including her nurse navigator, Claudia, Sherry regained her energy and confidence. “They were absolutely wonderful,” she said. “I just graduated from rehab a few weeks ago.”

Now, she’s back to work, walking up to five miles a day and staying active at the gym.

“When you first get that diagnosis, you’re scared,” she said. “You don’t know what your future looks like. But I was lucky because of that early screening, I caught it before it ever caused symptoms.”

Today, Sherry encourages others to talk to their doctors about low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening, especially those at higher risk.

Learn more about lung cancer screenings and find out if you are at risk for lung cancer.