AHN Cancer Institute hosts free cancer screening at Allegheny General Hospital
PITTSBURGH – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute will host its fourth monthly cancer screening of 2023 on Saturday, April 15, at the AHN Cancer Institute at Allegheny General Hospital, 314 E. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. The screening is free and open to both AHN and non-AHN patients. Health insurance is not required.
Registration for the event is now open and closes on April 7. Reservations must be made by calling 412359-6665.
Screenings for the following cancers will be available: breast cancer (for ages 40+), cervical cancer (ages 21-65), colorectal cancers (age 45-75), head and neck cancers (age 18+), lung cancer (ages 50-80 with a history of smoking), prostate cancer (ages 45+), and skin cancer (ages 18+).
Doctors encourage anyone eligible for the screenings to attend the event whether they are experiencing any medical symptoms or complications, as early detection is essential for treatment of many cancers.
April is recognized each year as National Cancer Control Month, which encourages the public to raise awareness around preventing, detecting, treating, and controlling cancer.
“AHN's cancer screening clinics provide the public with an opportunity to proactively take control of their health by utilizing the latest resources in cancer care, free of charge,” said David Bartlett, MD, chair of the AHN Cancer
Institute. “With nearly 2 million new cancer cases expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, we hope our preventative measures can put a large dent in the overall cancer mortality rates.”
According to estimates from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures 2023 report, more than 88,000 cases of cancer will be diagnosed among Pennsylvanians in 2023, and more than 27,000 may die from the disease.
“Thanks to the many advances in cancer technology and treatments, a cancer prognosis is often much more favorable today than it was years ago, especially if the disease is caught in early stages,” added Dr. Bartlett.
Additional free screenings are to be scheduled throughout the year at a variety of locations. May's screening will be held at AHN West Penn Hospital, with registration opening April 18. Additional details will be forthcoming.
Patients attending the screening events will be asked a series of questions regarding COVID-19 upon arrival at the facility. AHN continues to follow the guidance of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health when it comes to COVID-19 safety protocols, and requires that patients, visitors, and staff wear masks within AHN clinical facilities.