Mobile Mammography

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. Early detection is key to surviving this disease.

Being a woman and getting older are the most significant risk factors for breast cancer. More than three out of four women who get breast cancer have no family history or high-risk factors. So, even if you have neither of those things, you should be screened regularly.

We at Mount Sinai want to help. We offer a mobile mammography program that brings diagnostic technology to all five boroughs of New York City. Our goal is to help all women 40 and over get annual screening mammograms. We want to catch breast cancer as early as possible, when it can be most easily treated.

Screening Mammography

A screening mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. The images can show cancer before you or your health care provider can feel it (very early stage breast cancer). This is important because the best time to diagnose breast cancer is before you have symptoms.

One in six breast cancers occur in women aged 40 to 49. That is why it is important that women at average risk for breast cancer start annual screening mammograms at age 40.  

Mammograms have been proven to save lives. Because of screening, one out of three women who would have died from breast cancer is now alive. Here are some statistics on women who are diagnosed early.

• 99 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer at stage 0 and 1 will survive and thrive.
• 85 percent of women with stage 2 and 3 breast cancer are just as likely as someone without breast cancer to live 5 more years.
• More than 80 percent of people diagnosed with breast cancer live for 10 years or longer.
• Regular mammograms reduce the rate of breast cancer death by up to 23 percent in women ages 40 to 49.

Mobile Mammography

Our mobile mammography van visits all five boroughs. We provide breast cancer screening services for women 40 and over who have not had a mammogram in the past year and show no signs or symptoms of the disease.

We offer high-quality, state-of-the-art, digital 3D mammography technology, called digital breast tomosynthesis. It produces images of breast tissue in one-millimeter-thin layers. This way, your doctor can see what is going on with greater accuracy. This means you are much less likely to need more images after the screening appointment than if you had a 2D mammogram. 

The best way to have a mammogram when our mobile mammography van is in your area is to make an appointment. You can call EZMAMMO (844-396-2666) for an appointment or to ask questions. We may be able to see a few people without appointments.  

The Mammogram

On the day of your mammogram, please do not use deodorant, lotions, powder, or perfume. Remember to bring any images of earlier mammograms if possible. Before your appointment, take a moment to think about your family’s medical history and your breast health. When you arrive, we will ask you about these subjects. If you have an insurance card and picture identification, please bring these. Plan to arrive at the van location 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment so you can complete the registration process.   

During the mammogram, one of our technologists will place one breast, then the other, between two plates. These plates immobilize your breast while the X-ray arm of the machine makes a quick arc, taking a series of images. This takes only a few seconds. The compression can be uncomfortable, but we can work with you to try to minimize the discomfort. It can help to schedule your appointment shortly after your menstrual period is over.

After the mammogram, one of our dedicated breast imaging radiologists will read your results. A screening mammogram can detect both cancerous and noncancerous tumors. We want to be sure we are correct, so if there is any uncertainty, we may need to conduct more tests. Do not worry if we tell you that you need more tests. Most people who have additional testing do not have breast cancer. Our staff will assist you in getting any additional imaging done as soon as possible. If you have not heard from us within a month, you should call us at 844-EZMAMMO (396-2666) to follow up. 

We will store your mammogram images. You or any of your doctors in any of the Mount Sinai Health System will be able to see them. We can also make a CD containing the images for you.  

Our services are usually free. If you have health insurance, that generally covers the full cost. Please contact your insurance company to find out what is covered. If you do not have insurance or if you need help paying your Mount Sinai bills, you are welcome to contact our Financial Counselors for assistance. Go to mshs.mapsng.com in your web browser. This link will bring you to the home page of the Patient Financial Service office where you can complete an application or find a list of telephone numbers to reach our Financial Counselors.