UR Medicine’s Mobile Mammography Van brings breast cancer screenings to underserved communities
Mammography is the gold standard for detecting breast cancer and is recommended annually for women beginning at age 40. Identifying cancer early provides the greatest chance for survival. In November 2023, The UR Medicine Mobile Mammography Van hit the road to bring potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings to residents of underserved communities across the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions.
The van is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide the same quality care offered at UR Medicine’s breast imaging locations. It is wheelchair-accessible, air conditioned and offers the latest mammography technology — including a Hologic Dimensions® 3D tomosynthesis unit. The team provides routine breast screening for individuals without breast health complications. Anyone with conditions such as breast infections and inflammations, common breast lumps, fibrocystic breast changes, nipple problems and discharge, or phyllodes tumors, is referred to their primary care provider for further evaluation.
Breast imaging staff work closely with community organizations to schedule screening events. Host organizations assist with outreach to promote the events, using a toolkit and materials in English and Spanish. This collaborative effort helps maximize participation at each event. Events are held at:
- inner-city community centers;
- rural towns;
- indigenous American and Amish communities;
- organizations serving migrant populations;
- health fairs;
- large community events; and,
- UR Medicine practice sites.
The mammography screening takes about 20 minutes. Appointments are encouraged, though walk-ins are welcome — the convenience of the bus in their community often encourages individuals who may have put off screenings. Results are provided via MyChart, UR Medicine’s patient portal, or mailed to patients, and forwarded to their primary care provider.
Since the Mobile Mammography Van outreach program began, the team has traveled 13,952 miles across the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Western New York. Through July 2025, a total of 1,602 people were screened, including 355 walk-ins, during 271 events at 128 unique sites across the region. As a result, 282 patients underwent additional diagnostic imaging, and 12 faced a breast cancer diagnosis.
For more information, contact Brandi Burnett, clinical manager, mammography, UR Medicine, at brandi_burnett@urmc.rochester.edu.
