Pat Vigneau was enjoying an active retirement, traveling and country line dancing with her husband and friends, among other hobbies.

She was seeing a Virtua physician for sleep apnea but otherwise felt healthy. As a former smoker, though, Pat was at increased risk for lung cancer, so in fall 2022 her doctor sent her for a lung screening. 

“After many years of not smoking, I figured everything was fine,” recalled Pat.

The screening detected a suspicious mass, and she was sent for further testing. When the results came back, Pat was shocked to learn she had cancer—a pea-sized tumor in her right lung.

Fortunately, using new, leading-edge technology, Virtua lung experts caught and treated Pat’s cancer early, and she is now back to enjoying life—cancer-free.

“In a matter of four months and five days, I had cancer—and then I didn’t,” she said.

Technology Offers Improved Accuracy

One key to Pat’s successful treatment is an improved, less-invasive procedure for diagnosing small, hard-to-reach lung cancers.

The technique, called robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, enables doctors to reach 80 to 90% of suspicious lung nodules—versus just 60% with traditional methods.

The technology is also better at accurately diagnosing cancer, providing a correct diagnosis in 90% of malignant tumors, said Virtua interventional pulmonologist Mark Weir, MD, who performed Pat’s robotic bronchoscopy.

“By comparison, nonrobotic bronchoscopies identify about 70% of lung cancers,” explained Dr. Weir. “This technology can help us find more lung cancers and save more lives.”

The system is available at both Virtua Mount Holly and Virtua Marlton hospitals, enabling South Jersey residents to receive this advanced care close to home.

Plus, routine lung screenings—available at many Virtua facilities—can catch early signs of cancer. These low-dose CT scans are recommended for people ages 50 to 80 who are either current heavy smokers, or who are past heavy smokers who quit within the last 15 years.

After Pat’s bronchoscopy, she immediately resumed her normal activities. She and her husband, Bob, even took a vacation to San Antonio, Texas, where they did a lot of walking.

“I felt no pain or anything,” said the retired billing manager.

Successful Surgery

In December 2022, Pat underwent robotic-assisted surgery to remove the cancer. The minimally invasive operation was performed through five small incisions on the side of her chest, toward her back.

Robotic-assisted surgery offers many advantages, including giving surgeons greater dexterity and clearer views inside the body. Patients benefit from smaller incisions, less blood loss and post-operative pain, and a faster recovery.

“I’m thrilled they were able to do it robotically,” said Pat. “There were no complications. I went in on a Monday and left that Thursday.”

Her recovery went well. She was extremely tired at first, but her energy gradually returned over the next two months.

Return to the Dance Floor on Land and Sea

Pat and her husband were soon kicking up their cowboy boots again at Prospectors Grille & Saloon in Mount Laurel, where they’ve danced once or twice a week for 13 years. The couple, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in June 2023, met while line dancing at another venue in 1995.

They even took an annual cruise with a group of 35 fellow line dancers, including their own DJ.

“It was a beautiful trip,” said Pat, recalling stops in Panama, Colombia, and Costa Rica, to name a few. “I’m amazed that I was able to dance along with everyone in my group. I am truly blessed to have had the Virtua team on my side!”

At Prospectors, Pat is known as “the lady with the boots” for her extensive collection of cowboy boots in a rainbow of colors and sparkly embellishments.

She counts about 60 pairs in her “boot room”—a converted bedroom in her longtime Cinnaminson home.

“I just bought a pair in hot pink,” she revealed. “They’re the first pair since the cancer. It’s like, ‘Hey, I’m living again.’”

Pat has also resumed jewelry making, a hobby for about seven years. She recently won a first-place award in the student art show of Rowan College at Burlington County, where she takes weekly classes.  

Breathing Well

Although Pat’s tumor required doctors to remove about one-third of her right lung—the lower lobe—she feels no change in her breathing.

“Most patients feel like they can breathe normally once they’re fully recovered. They won’t notice a difference,” said Virtua thoracic surgeon Matthew Puc, MD, who performed Pat’s procedure. Dr. Puc also serves as program director of the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program.

“Everything we do is based on the person’s pulmonary function,” he said. “We want to make sure people can tolerate whatever treatment they need.”

Thanks in part to Pat’s early diagnosis, Dr. Puc was able to preserve 80% of her lung capacity. She also didn’t need other treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy.

“I’m so thankful for Dr. Weir and Dr. Puc,” Pat said. “And I’m grateful for my pulmonologist who pushed me to have the lung screening. The entire Virtua care team was absolutely wonderful, including the office staff.”

Pat’s husband and two adult children also provided invaluable support, she emphasized. Now that she’s cancer-free, her family is elated.

“Thinking how it could have been, and it ended up so well—we went from one extreme to the other,” she said.

Her advice to other former and current smokers: “Get screened for lung cancer early, even if you don’t think there’s an issue.”

Should You Get a Lung Screening?

A lung cancer screening saved Pat's life. See if you are eligible for this quick, noninvasive scan, too. Lung screenings are covered by most major insurance plans.