Early detection of cancer can save lives. That’s why more than three dozen women from the Bronx and surrounding areas spent a recent sunny Saturday at Montefiore’s Act Early, Act Now (AEAN) free breast and cervical cancer screening event, held at the Greene Medical Arts Pavilion on Bainbridge Avenue.

The Department of Pathology hosted the event in collaboration with Radiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health, and the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) program. The goal was to provide screening and education to women who otherwise lack access to healthcare, regardless of insurance status.

Since 2011, Pathology has led this annual program, formerly called See Test & Treat. Participants ages 21 to 64 received pelvic exams, Pap tests, breast exams, and mammograms. Results were delivered the same day, with follow-up care arranged as needed to reduce barriers to screening.

Each year, more than 12,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer, which disproportionately affects minority women. The good news is that cervical cancer is preventable, and early detection is key. 

“With regular Pap tests, precancerous lesions can be caught and treated before they turn into invasive cancer,” said Shweta Gera, MD, attending cytopathologist, assistant professor of pathology, cytopathology fellowship director, and clinical lead for this year’s event. “This event is an effective public health measure for saving women’s lives.”

Pap tests were performed by attending Ob/Gyn physicians Emily M. Buttigieg, MD, and Wendy K. Leung, MD, MPH, with a team from Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health.

Pathology Out Front and Behind the Scenes

Cytopathology Lab Team at Moses

Members of Pathology played a central role both on-site and behind the scenes. The quick turnaround of Pap test results was made possible by Janet Omeme, Manager of Pathology Logistics and Support Services, who collected and delivered cervical specimens to the Cytopathology Lab at Moses for diagnosis. Under the direction of Lab Director Jared Larson, cytologists Kisu Kim, Li Shi, Valenteen Ozari, Kleber Coronel, and Norie Joson, along with technicians Sherrie Williams and Kalpana Patel, processed and analyzed samples for abnormal cells requiring further review by Dr. Gera.

Cytopathology fellows and pathology residents educating patients

Out front, a team of Pathology trainees brought science to life by answering questions and inviting attendees to look at cervical specimens under a dual-headed microscope. Cytopathology fellows Drs. Sultan Pehlivan and Selamawit Abebe Ayele, with PGY2 residents Drs. Kelise Harris and Ayesha Usman, showed attendees how to spot the key differences between healthy and abnormal cells.

“By demonstrating these differences under the microscope, pathologists help the community understand how diagnoses are made and why early detection matters,” Dr. Gera said.

Mammography screenings were led by Lamar Duncan, BA, RT, Assistant Administrator, Outpatient Imaging, Radiology, and Yahaira Diaz, Technical Director, Breast Imaging. Patients received immediate results, with follow-up diagnostic imaging performed as needed.

Leaders from the BOLD program, including Bianca Rivera Pena, alongside interns, BOLD Buddies, and volunteers, helped recruit and register participants and provided interpretation in Spanish, Bengali, and other languages to expand access. Educational tables, led by BOLD volunteers in English and Spanish, highlighted free breast and cervical cancer screening resources, navigation services, and BOLD program offerings across the Bronx.

The day’s success was made possible by Pathology Marketing Representative Renee Spates, who brilliantly led the planning, organization, and execution with care and attention to detail, ensuring that the AEAN event delivered a welcoming, barrier-free experience. 

“This event was more than just a day of screening,” Renee said. “It was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish every year when we come together with purpose.”

Angela McGuire, a first-time AEAN attendee, was one two raffle prize winners.