Advanced Lung Centers of Independence Health System to Host Lung Cancer Awareness Walks, Emphasizing the Importance of Screenings

Latrobe, Pa., Sept. 23, 2025 — Independence Health System’s Advanced Lung Center at Latrobe Hospital will host its third annual Lung Cancer Awareness Walk on Saturday, Oct. 18, with check-in beginning at 9 a.m. The walk starts at 10 a.m. at The Square at Latrobe,100 Excela Square Drive, Latrobe, PA 15650.

This community-focused event raises funds to support:

• Awareness efforts around the benefits of lung cancer screening
• Education on the dangers of smoking, vaping and smokeless tobacco
• Investment in state-of-the-art technology at the Latrobe Hospital Advanced Lung Center

The Latrobe Walk, which began in 2023, was created to raise awareness about the importance of lung cancer screenings and has quickly become a meaningful way for providers and staff to engage with the community. Attendees can enjoy live music, refreshments, educational resources, raffles, and opportunities to connect with others. Participants who register by Oct. 3 will receive a T-shirt. Physicians and staff from Independence Health System will be on-site to provide information and answer any questions. The event is open to all ages.

This year also marks the inaugural walk at Butler Memorial Hospital, held concurrently at the Crossroads Campus,129 Oneida Valley Road, Butler, PA 16001.

According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Early detection is key — when caught before it spreads, the five-year survival rate increases to 65 percent, compared to just 9 percent for late-stage diagnoses.

Low-dose computed tomography, or LDCT is a noninvasive, painless imaging test that uses low-dose radiation to detect suspicious lung nodules. It captures multiple 3D images of the lungs, allowing for the identification of early-stage lung cancer that may not appear on standard chest X-rays.

The American Lung Association recommends annual screenings for individuals at higher risk, including:

• Adults ages 50 to 80
• Those with a 20 pack-year smoking history
• Current smokers or those who quit within the past 15 years

To register for the Lung Cancer Awareness Walk in Latrobe, visit www.independence.health/lungwalk

To learn more about Independence Health System and its comprehensive services, visit www.independence.health.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health