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In first year alone, mobile mammography bus does 2K screenings, finds 13 cancer diagnoses

Trinity Health Grand Rapids' Mobile Mammography unit is a 40-foot bus with 3-D imaging capability.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Since its launch in summer of 2023, the mobile mammography unity at Trinity Health Grand Rapids has done more than 2,000 breast screenings and diagnosed 13 cancer patients. 

"It's been a pretty amazing year," said Becky Mercier, breast imaging supervisor at Trinity Health Grand Rapids. 

At least one of those women diagnosed with cancer, Mercier said, did not have insurance and would have otherwise not have been screened. 

"It's been really heartwarming to know that we're making a difference in communities and being able to provide these services," said Mercier. "Not only to underserved areas, but we also provide services on the outskirts of Grand Rapids."

Screenings for mammograms are covered by insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Trinity Health Grand Rapids works with Kent County Health Department to fully cover cost of screenings for patients without insurance. 

The unit is a 40-foot bus with high quality 3-D imaging capability. The goal is to increase access to are and screenings to underserved areas in and around Grand Rapids. 

"Healthcare is so focused on sick care a lot of times, and this is really a preventative service," said Mercier. "We really want to find these cancers before they get really large, when they're easiest to treat, and that breast cancer treatment is a minor little hiccup in the road, rather than a big ordeal. So, just getting it out there and making it easy and simple, and, 'Hey, while I'm here at the bank today, I'm going to see if I can get my mammogram done.' It's awesome."

To schedule a mobile mammogram, call 855-559-7179 or visit www.TrinityHealthMichigan.org/MobileMamm.

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