Banner Health's lung program ranks among region's best for early cancer detection
GREELEY, Colo. (Nov. 4, 2025) – Banner Health's lung nodule program in Northern Colorado is earning recognition as one of the top-performing in the region, thanks to standout outcomes in early lung cancer detection, diagnostic accuracy and speed to treatment. The program uses robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, known as the Ion procedure, to achieve these results.
According to Intuitive, the manufacturer of the Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy platform, Banner is cutting the time from biopsy to treatment time in half. Internal sources state that time frame is just 28 days, virtually half the natural average. Not only does the Ion procedure reduce time from diagnosis to treatment, but it also reduces the number of invasive procedures patients experience to receive that diagnosis, with a national average of 1.7 procedures, including repeat biopsies, mediastinoscopies and linear EBUS staging.
"This isn't just about the technology, it's about getting patients the answers they need faster, with less risk and at a time when we can still offer a cure," said Banner pulmonologist John David Cowden, MD, MPH. "With November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, it's important for our community to know that with a minimally invasive procedure, early detection is more attainable than ever. Programs like this save lives."
Led by Dr. Cowden, the team at Banner uses the Ion system to perform minimally invasive biopsies with up to 95% accuracy, allowing for earlier, more precise diagnoses.
"Our goal is to catch lung cancer early, when we have the most options for treatment and the greatest opportunity for cure," Dr.Cowden said. "We've worked hard to build a program that supports patients from screening through diagnosis, staging and into treatment, often in a matter of days, not weeks or months."
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet early screening significantly improves outcomes. The American Cancer Society reports that lung cancer is far more treatable when diagnosed before it spreads.
"We're trying to help establish lung cancer screening as a routine part of a primary care physician's general review, like colonoscopies or mammograms," Dr. Cowden said.
The robotic-assisted bronchoscopy technology is currently available at Banner's North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) in Greeley, with specialists also seeing patients in Loveland and Fort Collins. To learn more about Banner's lung nodule program, visit www.bannerhealth.com/services/pulmonary.
About Banner Health
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world's leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner's array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
