The Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute will be offering free monthly cancer screening clinics throughout the region beginning at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison on Saturday, January 29.
Prior registration is required.
AHN offered five screening clinics last year that quickly booked up, said Dr. David Bartlett, president of the AHN Cancer Institute.
But the pandemic has reduced the number of these national projections.
Doctors are concerned about the potential for increased cancer diagnoses due to missed screenings, Bartlett said.
“Our goal for 2022 is to reach even more people and try to ensure easy access to testing in all communities in our region,” he said.
Screenings available
The clinics will offer screenings for breast cancer (40+), cervical cancer (21-65), colorectal cancer (45-75), head and neck cancer (18 years and older), lung cancer (50-65 years). 80 with a history of smoking) prostate cancer (45 years and older) and skin cancer (18 years and older).
Dr. James Betler, radiation oncologist at AHN Jefferson Hospital, started the free multi-cancer scanning clinics in 2014 in Jefferson.
The program has been successful and has expanded to other AHN hospitals as it provides one-stop shopping for a variety of cancer screenings. Before the pandemic, the free cancer screening program provided 6,000 screenings in six years, Betler said.
1 out of 4 screening discovers a problem
Last year, HSA testing clinics performed 683 tests, with 179 or 26% flagged for an abnormality.
A cancer screening will detect a problem early and increase the chances of a better health outcome, Belter said.
“It’s a great investment of your time,” Betler said. “For New Year’s resolutions, this is the one to make.”
The event is open to both Allegheny Health Network and non-AHN patients.
Health insurance is not compulsory.
Other Testing Sites
Upcoming cancer screening clinics are planned for Wexford and Peters Township Health and Welfare Lodges; AHN Cancer Institute sites in Beaver, New Castle, Hempfield, Grove City and Allegheny General Hospital; the East Side Health + Wellness Pavilion in Erie; and West Penn and Jefferson hospitals.
Mary Ann Thomas is editor of Tribune-Review. You can contact Mary at 724-226-4691, [email protected] or via Twitter .
