GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Trinity Health Grand Rapids has a new mobile mammography unit – a 40-foot bus that travels throughout the community to serve a variety of patients, including women who may not have easy access to mammograms.
The bus utilizes gold standard 3D digital technology which will collect clear images and deliver timely, accurate results. To deliver privacy to clients, inside of the bus are two changing rooms and a reception waiting area for their clients.
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Although mammograms are usually covered by insurance as a preventative care measure, Trinity Health also offer alternative programs for the uninsured by working with the Kent County Health Department’s Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program to help cover the costs of screening and potential follow-up imaging to those who need it.
On Monday, during the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new mobile mammography unit, Trinity Health officials said that the bus has been used in a pilot program for the past seven weeks and served 165 patients throughout Kent County. Becky Mercier, breast imaging supervisor for Trinity Health said, “We’ve been out there testing the waters and starting to see patients. Just staying in the metro Grand Rapids area working with not only four Trinity Health Medical Group locations but some community partners as well.”
Mercier said that the focus is on underserved communities that may have barriers to screenings, like transportation, language barriers, no health insurance, fear of the results, and also the mistrust of the healthcare system. She added, “We’re trying to accommodate, make sure that we are making access simple. The plan is to continue trying to serve those underserved communities.”
According to the CDC, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States; however, with advancements in and increased use of cancer screening tests, there has been a decrease in breast cancer death rates since 1989. Currently, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends breast cancer screening every two years in women aged 50-74.
Trinity Health is proud to be assisting in approving those statistics by bringing life-saving breast screening to “vulnerable women” in areas that are underserved in order to detect cancer earlier and decrease mortality. They are providing the bus services five days a week in 11 locations and neighborhoods, including the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. Those wanting to make an appointment can call (855) 559-7179 or click here for a list of locations and more information.
