Adagio Health offers cancer screening at no cost

SOURCE: The Bradfora Era

ERIE — January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. All month long (and throughout the rest of the year!) — Adagio Health is providing breast and cervical cancer screening services at no cost to patients who qualify.

Cervical cancer is found in the lower part of the cervix. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all women are at risk for cervical cancer but it most commonly occurs in women over the age of 30. There are few warning signs — cervical cancer usually does not have any symptoms until the cancer becomes more advanced. But the good news is that when detected early, cervical cancer is generally viewed as treatable and curable.

Regular cancer screening can help to identify changes in cervical cells. A pap smear or pap test is the screening method used to detect cervical cancer. It’s a quick procedure that uses a q-tip and small spatula-like tool is used to collect cell samples from the cervix. Pap tests are generally not considered painful.

“With routine pap testing, your health care provider can detect cell changes early, when disease is treatable and curable,” said Linda Snyder, Senior Director of Family Planning Programs at Adagio Health.

In addition to cancer screening and pap tests, there are multiple other preventative methods. The Gardasil vaccine helps protect against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is a leading cause of cervical cancer in women and is passed through sexual contact. The Gardasil series helps fight off the virus and prevent lesions from growing on the cervix. Other measures to prevent cervical cancer include using condoms, limiting sexual partners, and quitting smoking.

Adagio Health offers multiple cancer screening services at its nine medical offices and on its Mobile Health Unit in western Pennsylvania. Breast and cervical cancer services include clinical breast exams, breast self-awareness education, pap tests, HPV tests and diagnostic follow up testing as needed. Reproductive cancer screening and other care is available at no cost to patients who qualify.

The Adagio Health Mobile Unit serves 12 different counties in northwestern Pennsylvania including Clarion, McKean and Warren. For a complete list of mobile health locations and schedule, visit: Adagio Health Mobile Unit

Adagio Health has two medical offices in the Erie area: Adagio Health Erie and Adagio Health Edinboro.