Celebrating a Milestone: Mount Sinai’s Mammovan Reaches 1,000 Breast Cancer Screenings
November 25, 2024
By Diego Ortiz Quintero
Photos Courtesy of Mount Sinai Health System
On July 30, 2024, the Mount Sinai Mammovan, an innovative mobile mammography unit, marked a significant achievement in New York City by completing its 1,000th breast cancer screening event. This milestone highlights the program’s dedication to increasing access to essential breast cancer screenings across all five boroughs.
Since its launch, the Mammovan has traveled through New York City’s diverse neighborhoods, delivering over 10,000 screenings and diagnosing numerous cases of breast cancer. This outreach is more than just a statistical achievement; it’s about saving lives and improving healthcare accessibility where it is often most needed.
A powerful example of the Mammovan’s impact is the story of Maleene Tabon from Harlem. Tabon encountered the Mammovan at the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center and took the opportunity to schedule an appointment immediately. “They gave me an appointment for the following day, just before work. That’s perfect time,” Tabon recalled. The screening process was quick, but the results necessitated further evaluation. Today, Tabon reflects positively on that critical moment: “I did, and here I am a year later,” underscoring the importance of early detection.
The milestone event was celebrated by prominent figures from the Mount Sinai Health System, including Laurie R. Margolies, MD, FACR, FSBI, Chief of Breast Imaging at the Dubin Breast Center. Margolies emphasized, “Reaching our 1,000th screening event with the Mammovan is a testament to our commitment to making breast cancer screening accessible to every woman, regardless of her location. This milestone reflects the countless lives we’ve touched and the crucial role of early detection in saving lives.”
Tabon’s journey was highlighted with the support of Adam Aponte, MD, MSc, FAAP, Chief Executive Officer of Boriken Neighborhood Health Center. Aponte noted, “Partnering with the Mount Sinai Mammovan has been a game-changer for us. This milestone celebrates our shared commitment to ensuring all women have access to essential health services and demonstrates the power of collaboration in improving community health.”
David L. Reich, MD, President of The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens, added, “The success of the Mammovan reflects Mount Sinai’s mission to provide high-quality care beyond our hospital walls. By bringing these essential screenings directly to the neighborhoods that need them most, we are fostering a healthier, more equitable future for all New Yorkers.”
Annual mammography screenings starting at age 40 are proven to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality rates. The Mount Sinai Mobile Mammography Program is dedicated to educating women about the benefits of these screenings and promoting early detection. By reaching communities directly, the Mammovan addresses disparities in breast cancer detection and survival, particularly in underserved populations.
The 1,000th screening is not just a numerical milestone but a testament to the profound impact of the Mammovan on individual lives and community health. The program continues to prove that access to life-saving screenings should not be restricted by location or socioeconomic status. With ongoing dedication, the Mammovan will undoubtedly achieve more milestones, ensuring every woman has the chance for early detection and a better shot at overcoming breast cancer.
Here’s to many more years of making a difference, one screening at a time.
