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Free cancer screenings at Peters Health + Wellness Pavilion

By David Singer 2 min read

There were 192-nearly 20 percent-of the 960 patients tested through Allegheny Health Network’s free cancer screenings through 2014 who were found to have cancerous abnormalities or warning signs. Dr. James Betler, director of internal medicine and oncology for AHN’s southern regional offices, said he hopes South Hills residents will realize they may be at risk and come out for the free screenings 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 13 at the Peters Township Health + Wellness Pavilion at 160 Gallery Drive.

“Earlier detection means possible prevention if not a more curable route for patients,” Dr. Betler said.

For Dan Macel, 63, of Shaler Township, a November 2014 lung screening saved his life, but not in the way he thought it might.

“The CT (X-ray) scan was low enough that it caught a picture of my kidneys, and they found large tumor on my right kidney,” Macel said.

Macel then had the kidney removed in January.

“I had no symptoms, so I wouldn’t have known. The doctors said I would’ve eventually seen symptoms, passing blood, that sort of thing, but I was extremely lucky to catch it then,” he said.

The free screenings range literally from head to toe, offering skin, head, neck and lung screenings. There are also more involved diagnostics not typically offered to patients for free, like HIV and hepatitis C screens.

“Hepatitis C can lead to liver cancer, and HIV increases a person’s risk for a number of cancers,” he said.

Those tests require either a cheek swab or blood test, respectively, while skin tests have a dermatologist examining a person’s body for malignant lesions and abnormal skin tags. There are also genetic screenings.

“A patient would meet with a genetic counselor after answering a questionnaire to go over their genetic history, and thus their family’s disposition to certain cancers,” Betler said.

There are also gender-specific screenings that are a little more invasive, but nonetheless important, Betler said, like Pap smears for cervical cancer and stool tests for prostate cancer.

Registration closes June 8 and participants must call 412-DOCTORS (412-362-8677) and select option 2.

“You will not be charged for any test, but if you have insurance, please bring that information so in case we need to refer you for a positive finding, we can get you care as soon as possible,” Betler said.

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