Dana-Farber Mammography Van

A Good Idea

Description

The Dana-Farber Mammography Van is a mobile mammography program serving the women of Massachusetts. The program is available to all women over age 40, with a focus on low-income, uninsured, elderly, and non-English speaking women. The van travels to different communities 3-4 days a week year-round, bringing breast cancer screening and education directly to the neighborhoods in which women live and work. Women without adequate medical coverage are connected to primary care providers, assisted with applications for state-subsidized health insurance plans, and linked to follow-up services. Exams are performed by board-certified mammography technologists from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the program is supported financially through individual, corporate, and foundation donations.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the Mammography Van is to make high quality breast cancer screening services more accessible to women who are medically underserved.

Results / Accomplishments

Since the program began in May 2002, the Mammography Van has provided more than 25,000 mammograms to patients speaking more than 40 different languages. In fiscal year 2008, the van provided 3,936 mammograms. During that year the program successfully reached their target population: 75% of the women were uninsured or publicly insured, 70% were ethnic minorities, and 62% spoke a first language other than English.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Primary Contact
Melissa Saporetti
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 632-1974
msaporetti@partners.com
http://www.dana-farber.org/
Topics
Health / Cancer
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Date of publication
2009
Date of implementation
May 2002
Location
Massachusetts
For more details
Target Audience
Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities