Sentara expands cancer screenings to underserved communities with 3D mammography van
Mobile healthcare brings convenient, early detection screenings to community members regardless of insurance
Sentara unveils a new 3D mammography van during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 10 at 9:00 a.m. at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center.
The 3D mammography van brings the same state of the art technology that a patient would receive in a Sentara facility into our communities. 3D mammography is the current standard of care for breast cancer screenings and has been proven to find smaller tumors at earlier stages than traditional 2D mammograms.
“The importance of detecting breast cancer early, before it has spread, cannot be emphasized enough,” said Dr. John Plemmons, Medical Director at the McLeskey Comprehensive Breast Center at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. “This mobile mammography van will improve access to healthcare for many in our community by delivering care closer to where a patient lives or works. Not only is it more convenient for our patients, but it will undoubtedly save lives.”
The Sentara Cancer Network will use results from our ongoing Sentara Community Health Needs Assessments to determine where the 3D mammography van can provide the most impactful care. The mobile mammography team is committed to organizing at least 20 visits to underserved areas in Hampton Roads throughout the year. Mammograms will be available to all individuals. If a patient has health insurance, that information will be gathered in advance over the phone and on-site, and if a patient is uninsured or underinsured, they can complete an application to qualify for financial assistance. Lack of insurance will not be a barrier to receiving care.
“It’s no secret there is an access issue for many people in our communities. There is a growing excitement among many of our community partners and organizations as we continue to increase access to healthcare in our diverse communities,” said Iris Lundy, Senior Director of Health Equity. “At Sentara, we want to give people the access they need with cultural humility, when they need it, and where it makes the most sense for them.”
The 3D mammography van will provide services within a 2-hour driving radius of Norfolk, Virginia, including communities in northeast North Carolina. Up to 20 mammography appointments can be scheduled in a single day. The mammography van is available for events 7 days per week. Sentara will also focus on partnering with community organizations and local businesses to provide convenient screenings for employees.
Based on the Sentara Cancer Network’s screening guidelines for a person at average risk for breast cancer, women should start receiving an annual mammogram at the age of 40 after an informed discussion with their healthcare provider.
In 2022, Sentara Healthcare provided nearly 17,000 mammograms and more than 2,800 community members participated in cancer screenings through prevention and early detection events held across Virginia and North Carolina. To learn more about Sentara’s mobile mammography services, click here.
The 3D mammography van brings the same state of the art technology that a patient would receive in a Sentara facility into our communities. 3D mammography is the current standard of care for breast cancer screenings and has been proven to find smaller tumors at earlier stages than traditional 2D mammograms.
“The importance of detecting breast cancer early, before it has spread, cannot be emphasized enough,” said Dr. John Plemmons, Medical Director at the McLeskey Comprehensive Breast Center at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. “This mobile mammography van will improve access to healthcare for many in our community by delivering care closer to where a patient lives or works. Not only is it more convenient for our patients, but it will undoubtedly save lives.”
The Sentara Cancer Network will use results from our ongoing Sentara Community Health Needs Assessments to determine where the 3D mammography van can provide the most impactful care. The mobile mammography team is committed to organizing at least 20 visits to underserved areas in Hampton Roads throughout the year. Mammograms will be available to all individuals. If a patient has health insurance, that information will be gathered in advance over the phone and on-site, and if a patient is uninsured or underinsured, they can complete an application to qualify for financial assistance. Lack of insurance will not be a barrier to receiving care.
“It’s no secret there is an access issue for many people in our communities. There is a growing excitement among many of our community partners and organizations as we continue to increase access to healthcare in our diverse communities,” said Iris Lundy, Senior Director of Health Equity. “At Sentara, we want to give people the access they need with cultural humility, when they need it, and where it makes the most sense for them.”
The 3D mammography van will provide services within a 2-hour driving radius of Norfolk, Virginia, including communities in northeast North Carolina. Up to 20 mammography appointments can be scheduled in a single day. The mammography van is available for events 7 days per week. Sentara will also focus on partnering with community organizations and local businesses to provide convenient screenings for employees.
Based on the Sentara Cancer Network’s screening guidelines for a person at average risk for breast cancer, women should start receiving an annual mammogram at the age of 40 after an informed discussion with their healthcare provider.
In 2022, Sentara Healthcare provided nearly 17,000 mammograms and more than 2,800 community members participated in cancer screenings through prevention and early detection events held across Virginia and North Carolina. To learn more about Sentara’s mobile mammography services, click here.