PINEHURST, N.C. — When 51-year-old Fayetteville resident Courtenay Newkirk tells people she survived lung cancer, the reaction is almost always the same: shock.
“I think most people expect the worse possible outcome with a lung cancer diagnosis,” she said. “People are surprised to see me thriving and back to work. There are so many misconceptions about what lung cancer looks like, who gets it and what the outcomes can be if caught early. I want to change that.”
Today, Newkirk is using her story to raise awareness about early detection—especially among Black and brown communities, where lung cancer is often diagnosed later and outcomes can be worse.
“I want people to see that early-stage lung cancer is treatable,” she said. “I want to be a face for others who might not think this could happen to them.”
Diagnosed Early Through Routine Imaging
Newkirk had no traditional risk factors for lung cancer. She’s never smoked, and no one in her family has had the disease. But she was vigilant about her health. Because of a family history of breast cancer, she completed annual breast MRIs without fail.
That diligence saved her life.
Her most recent MRI revealed something unexpected: a concerning nodule on her right lung. Additional imaging and a biopsy confirmed it was a slow-growing lung cancer.
“It was such a shock,” she said. “Lung cancer wasn’t even on my radar.”
A Symptom She Almost Ignored
Looking back, there was one sign she realizes she may have brushed aside.
“I had a consistent cough for a couple of years,” she said. “I was treated for bronchitis and other respiratory infections, and I didn’t push for more testing. I got used to it.”
Knowing what she knows now, she believes it may have been an early symptom of her cancer. “That’s one reason I’m speaking out,” she added. “If something doesn’t seem right, or if it’s lingering, ask questions. Don’t ignore it.”
Choosing FirstHealth for Lung Cancer Surgery
When her doctor told her she would need to see a thoracic surgeon to remove the lung cancer, she made one important request:
“I told him I wanted a surgeon just like him—someone he would trust with his own family.”
That guidance led her to FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
“He told me about the strong relationship he had with the surgeons at FirstHealth and the trust he had in their team,” Newkirk said. “He warned me it might be a drive from Fayetteville to Pinehurst, but I didn’t hesitate. I was willing to go wherever I needed for the best care.”
Within days, Newkirk had her first appointment with William Kitchens, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon with the FirstHealth Reid Heart Center and surgical director of the Chest Center of the Carolinas.
“I can’t say enough about Dr. Kitchens,” she said. “My husband and I were blown away by how he explained everything in a way we could understand. We never felt rushed. He made us feel so seen and cared for.”
That warmth extended to every member of her care team.
“Nurse navigator Kim Cobb was incredible,” she said. “She told us about the Clara McLean House and said we could stay there before surgery. When she said, ‘You’re eligible because you’re a cancer patient,’ it hit me—I have cancer.”
“I knew I was in the right hands the entire time,” she said.
Throughout her journey, she often found herself turning to her husband and saying, “Everyone here is just so nice.” At one point, she even joked, “Is this real?”
Before surgery, Dr. Kitchens referred her to Bradley Icard, D.O., pulmonologist with Pinehurst Medical Clinic, for a bronchoscopy to place a locator that would guide the precision of the procedure.
She underwent surgery on Sept. 17, 2025. Her margins and lymph nodes were clear—meaning she needed no chemotherapy or radiation.
Seven weeks after surgery, Newkirk and her husband Terry joined more than 100 others at FirstHealth’s inaugural Wings of Hope 5K Walk/Run in Pinehurst on National Lung Cancer Screening Day. Among the participants was Dr. Icard, who walked the entire route with them.
“That moment captured exactly what FirstHealth feels like,” she said. “Your doctors don’t just treat you, they stay with so you know you’re not walking this path alone.”
Newkirk hopes her story encourages people—especially those who may not think they’re at risk—to pay attention to their bodies and take screening seriously.
“Early detection saved my life,” she said. “If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Advocate for yourself. I’m living proof that lung cancer can be found early, and it can be treated.”
Lung Cancer Screening at FirstHealth
If you or a loved one has symptoms or risk factors for lung cancer, learn about lung cancer screening options at FirstHealth. Early detection makes all the difference.
Podcast: Screening is Key to Catching Lung Cancer
Bradley Icard, D.O., Pulmonologist at Pinehurst medical Clinic and Medical Director of FirstHealth's Lung Screening program, joined the FirstHealth and Wellness Podcast to discuss the importance of screening and how FirstHealth is working to expand access.
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