ROCHESTER, N.Y. — November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Data shows there has been an increase in cases of the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a rise in lung cancer caseloads of more than 25% over 20 years. The increase has been attributed to a larger elderly population and a longer life expectancy.

The good news is the number of deaths linked to lung cancer is declining.

Rochester Regional Health credits a new tool for helping to reduce fatal lung cancer cases.

A flexible robotic arm known as the Monarch works with a camera, light and a blade to accurately gather samples of potentially cancerous growths.

"I can easily say that this platform is revolutionizing the way we're diagnosing lung cancer, potentially avoiding surgery for something that may not have been lung cancer because we're now able to diagnose suspicious lung nodules," said Dr. Jayashri Bhaskar, a pulmonologist at Rochester General Hospital.

While Monarch has been a big help in confirming lung cancer diagnoses, doctors recommend people get screened if they notice any of the disease's warning signs.