Mobile Mammography Unit meets patients where they are

The Mayo Clinic Health System Mobile Mammography Unit was in Minneapolis recently as part of a multi-stop breast cancer screening awareness event held in conjunction with the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament.

For some women, getting to a clinic for a mammogram can be a challenge. The Mayo Clinic Health System Mobile Mammography Unit eliminates that challenge by bringing the clinic to patients. On Saturday, March 4, that meant taking the unit on the road to Minneapolis, where it made two stops, North Community YMCA in Minneapolis, and the Target Center.

At the North Community YMCA in Minneapolis, staff performed 10 screening mammograms. Staff observed, they were a very special group, and were touched by their diligence to get this vital service despite the many hardships they face daily. “This is why mobile screening is such an impactful resource. Two of the women never had a mammogram previously.  Many have been putting the exam off because of fear and managing a hectic life.”

The goal is to provide our patients with not only very high-quality mammograms, but warmth, kindness and compassion that make the patient experience exceptional. It was action that made a difference to at least 10 women that day.

After the screening event, the mobile unit moved to Target Center to participate in the Big Ten’s Breast Cancer Awareness promotion during the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament. Visitors could tour the Mobile Mammography Unit and learn more about breast cancer screening.

Several community groups were also at the YMCA to provide information about resources for patients and expressed interest in other collaborations with the Mobile Mammography Unit.The two-stop tour was made possible thanks to a collaboration among Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System and community groups, including Sage, Minnesota’s Cancer Screening Program.“It really is our Mayo mission, vision and values in action.”