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The Mammography Van
Fox Chase's on-site breast cancer screening program is structured to be time-efficient and convenient. Our mobile mammography van is the only one of its kind in the Philadelphia region. The entire technical staff, including radiologists, are based out of Fox Chase Cancer Center and all equipment is licensed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is accredited by the American College of Radiology. An exam can be completed in ten minutes. The van can screen 25-35 women daily. By becoming an active member in both the corporate sector and the local communities, the van is able to screen over 4,000 women annually.
Mobile Mammography Screening Program
One in eight women will get breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, but those especially at risk are women who:
- Have two or more relatives with breast or ovarian cancer
- Have a family history of breast cancer
- Have relatives under the age of 50 who were diagnosed with breast cancer
What is a mammogram and why is it important?
A Mobile Mammography Success Story
Last year, Carol Kratzer had her 22nd mammogram. "I always knew I might be at risk for cancer... On New Year's Eve in 2006, I received a phone call that would change my life. I had breast cancer."
Read her story
A mammogram is an x-ray procedure that creates an image of the tissue within the breast. This image is used to visualize abnormal tissue within the breast such as cysts, tumors, and calcifications.
A mammogram is important because it can offer the best chance of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages which increases the chance of a cure.
How does the mammography process work?
Mammogrophy Machine
Each woman has her breasts placed upon a flat X-ray tray. The breasts are then compressed with gentle, firm pressure by a mammogram compression device. The compression spreads out the tissue and allows the X-ray image to display an accurate picture of the inner breast. The radiology technologist usually takes two X-rays of each breast. Our radiologist who is specially trained to interpret mammogram images then examines the X-rays.
What makes the Fox Chase mobile mammography van a convenient benefit for my employees?
Van Interior
- It comes to you - In ten minutes, have an exam taken that would take up to two hours in the hospital, without leaving work.
- It's fast - When previous films are available, results are interpreted by Fox Chase Cancer Center's radiologists within 48 hours and retained at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
- We do the work for you - Result letters are sent to the participant and her physician within ten days of the mammogram, and if the radiologist finds a problem that needs immediate attention, he or she will contact the participant's physician by telephone.
Who is ineligible for a screening from the van?
A woman is NOT eligible for a screening on the van if any of the following apply:
- She is under the age of 40
- She has implants
- She has had a breast cancer diagnosis within the past year
- She is currently being treated for breast cancer
- She has a new breast problem (such as a palpable lump, skin changes or nipple discharge)
- She does not provide the name and address of at least one physician
- She does not obtain a prescription from her physician
- She does not bring her previous mammography films for comparison purposes
- She is currently breast-feeding or has breast-fed within the last 9 months.
Success Stories
Read about Gina Conners and Carol Kratzer, women whose breast cancer was detected by the mobile mammography van.