AHN Cancer Institute Announces March Screening Event at Allegheny Valley Hospital

PITTSBURGH – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute will host its monthly cancer screening on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH), 1301 Carlisle Street, Natrona Heights, PA, 15065.

Registration opens today, Feb. 21, 2024, and closes on March 1, or until filled. Those interested in attending do not need to be AHN patients but must make an appointment for the AVH event by calling 412-359-6665. Health insurance is not required.

In 2023, the screening event at AVH attracted 92 patients who received a total of 261 screenings, with 203 screenings yielding normal results and 58 flagging abnormal results. Patients who receive abnormal test results are advised to receive further testing.

In January, the American Cancer Society released its annual Cancer Facts & Figures 2024 report, which estimates that 89,410 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with some type of cancer this year.

“Screening for certain types of cancer, such as colorectal and cervical cancers, can often contribute to the prevention of more advanced stages of the disease by removing precancers when detected,” said David Bartlett, MD, chair of the AHN Cancer Institute. “Regular screenings for other common cancers can reduce the mortality rate through early detection, often improving the prognosis and providing less intensive treatment plans for patients.”

Patients may receive up to seven different screenings in one day, all at one location. Screenings may include:

• Breast cancer (ages 40+)
• Cervical cancer (ages 21-65)
• Colorectal cancer (ages 45+)
• Head and neck cancers (ages 18+)
• Lung cancer (ages 50-77 with history of smoking)
• Prostate cancer (ages 45+)
• Skin cancer (ages 18+)

Future screening events will be held at Saint Vincent in Erie on April 13, and West Penn Hospital on May 4.

The AHN Cancer Institute has been offering free one-stop comprehensive cancer screenings since 2014. The program’s success and need for prevention and early detection in the region has led to the cancer screening program being offered monthly on Saturdays across Western Pennsylvania for the last three years.

The need for convenient and frequent cancer screenings has also led to the newly opened weekday comprehensive cancer screening clinic at Jefferson Hospital (Tuesdays) and Forbes Hospital (Wednesdays). Patients can call 412-325-9015 to schedule an appointment for the Jefferson and Forbes weekly screenings.