AHN to Offer Free Cancer Screenings Saturday July 23 at Allegheny General Hospital

PITTSBURGH - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions to forego potentially life-saving cancer screening tests such as mammography. In order to provide easy access to screening to as many people as possible, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute is offering monthly screening events, free and open to the public, at locations throughout western Pennsylvania.

Registration is now open for the next screening, scheduled for Saturday, July 23 at AHN Cancer Institute - Allegheny General Hospital, 314 E. North Ave. on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Free parking will be provided in the Cancer Institute lot on Sandusky Street, or if that lot is filled, the hospital’s James Street garage. Participants should bring their tickets with them to the screening to turn in for free parking. Registration is open until July 14 or until the session is filled, and can be made by calling 412-359-6665.

Screenings will be available for breast cancer (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+). The event is open to AHN and non-AHN patients, and health insurance is not required.

“The five screening clinics we offered in 2021 were quickly booked to capacity and very well received. As physicians we were thrilled to see this response, as we are very concerned about the possibility of an increased number of cancer diagnosis due to missed screenings,” said David Bartlett, MD, Chair, AHN Cancer Institute. “In 2022, we’ve already delivered hundreds of free screenings to people from across the region, and hope to reach even more people in the second half of the year.”

Upcoming events are planned for AHN Cancer Institute locations including those at AHN Grove City Hospital, and AHN Forbes Hospital. More details will be announced at a later date.

The American Cancer Society urges all people to follow recommendations for regular cancer screenings and to take steps to prevent cancer, including not smoking, exercising, staying at a healthy weight, following a healthy diet and limiting alcohol consumption.

AHN is taking numerous steps to help patients stay safe in its facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic including around-the-clock disinfecting and screening, spaced appointments, distancing in waiting areas and use of personal protective equipment. All patients attending the AGH event will be screened for COVID-19 on the day before the event and on arrival at either facility.

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