Early Detection, Disease Prevention
New Adagio Health Program Provides Cancer Screening and Vaccines at No Cost to Eligible Patients
Pittsburgh, PA (May 5, 2022) –With fewer patients seeking potentially life-saving cancer screening and diagnostic care across Pennsylvania, Adagio Health has launched a new program that covers the entire cost of breast cancer screening for eligible patients. The program will also make it possible for patients to access important adult vaccines and boosters, including COVID-19, Flu, Pneumonia, and Tetanus. Adagio Health project partners include Penn Highlands, Penn Highlands Life’s Journey, and Family Planning Plus.
“We are all overstretched and overscheduled. A one stop shop will help increase access to these critically important health care services,” said Casey Monroe, Adagio Health Senior Director of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. “It’s our hope that by helping patients get back on track with routine breast cancer screenings as well as any adult vaccines or boosters they need, we will boost breast cancer survival rates and lessen the chance of infectious disease outbreaks in our communities.”
Early detection is key when it comes to surviving breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.
“It can be scary to think a screening might lead to a breast cancer diagnosis, but that’s why it’s so important,” said Ms. Monroe. “This is not something you even want to put off. Early detection is so important and this program makes it easy for patients to access needed screenings, at no cost. And if you need a vaccine for COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia or tetanus – we’ll make sure you get that too!”
According to the American Cancer Society:
- Annual mammograms should be offered to women age 40 to 44.
- Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older can switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
In some Pennsylvania counties, less than 1% of women over 40 received a mammogram in the last few years. The new Adagio Health project will make breast cancer screening services easy and accessible. Participating locations will also offer special breast cancer screening clinic days that will be collocated with adult vaccine clinics. This will reduce barriers to receiving health care services and increase access for rural Pennsylvanians.
For more information, patients and providers can call 1-800-215-7494 or visit adagiohealth.org/EarlyDetection
About Adagio Health – For fifty years, Adagio Health has provided health care, nutrition, and education services in western Pennsylvania. Today, the nonprofit organization’s footprint includes seven counties in West Virginia and five counties in New York. Adagio Health also manages the state-funded Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) in 62 counties across Pennsylvania. Many of the patients and clients receiving services through Adagio Health are uninsured or underinsured women who live in areas where access to health care is scarce. Adagio Health’s services include family planning and reproductive care for women, men and teens; screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and other chronic conditions; and adult immunizations including COVID-19, flu, MMR, pneumonia and more. Adagio Health serves thousands of children and families through its WIC and Power Up (SNAP-ed) nutrition programs; provides tobacco cessation services to adults and teens; and offers reproductive health education for teens and young adults. Adagio Health receives funding from the State and Federal government, foundations, individuals and the corporate community.