One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Thankfully, early detection saves lives; but what about women who can’t afford or don’t have access to screenings? Mercy Health, which is continually evolving to better meet the needs of patients and the community, recently rolled out the Mercy Health-Toledo Mobile Mammography Van, the region’s first mobile mammography unit. This van is customized for patient convenience and delivers 3-D mammograms to women age 40 and older. It is equipped with the newest 3-D technology and offers patients the option of self-compression, meaning the patient has the ability to control the compression once they are in position. The unit makes access to mammography services easier by offering safe and easy screenings at convenient locations throughout the 21 counties in Northwest Ohio. “Research shows that early detection of breast cancer saves lives; and yet, less than 75 percent of eligible women nationwide have received a mammogram within the last two years,” said Dr. Constance Cashen, general surgeon and medical director of the Mercy Health breast program. “Our goal is to make it easy for all eligible women, and men, to access this potentially lifesaving technology.” As a mobile unit, the Mercy Health-Toledo Mobile Mammography Van has the power to break down the barriers of time, access and location, meeting women where they are throughout Mercy Health’s service areas of Toledo, Defiance, Willard, Tiffin and Lima. From city to suburb to rural, breast cancer knows no bounds, and this mobile mammography unit doesn’t either. Mercy Health is partnering with local churches, employers and communities to provide convenient access. In particular, the mobile mammography van supports the Mercy Health mission of caring for the poor and underserved as it eliminates barriers in accessing mammography services. Mercy Health also offers support to those who are underinsured, homeless or have high-deductible insurance plans. In its first year of service alone, the Mercy Health-Toledo Mobile Mammography Van is slated to bring this service to nearly 1,500 women who otherwise may not have had this potentially lifesaving test. “At Mercy Health, our focus remains on enhanced access Page 11 to care, care that happens outside of the traditional hospital setting,” said Bob Baxter, president of Mercy Health. “Today, we are excited to bring lifesaving and life-changing mammograms directly to those who seek care, delivering on our promise of bringing health care to our patients when and where it’s needed most.” The mobile mammography unit is especially important now because many have put off getting a mammogram due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no need to sit in a waiting room when visiting the mobile unit, where a skilled, masked technician following CDC guidelines will complete the screening in about 15 minutes. For more information or a schedule of locations, call 833-MAMMVAN.
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