NEW YORK (PRWEB) OCTOBER 24, 2018 -- Mount Sinai Hospital has launched the Mount Sinai Mobile Mammography Program (MMP), bringing essential breast cancer detection services and education to women in New York City. It is the only van equipped with digital breast tomosynthesis – high-quality, state-of-the-art, digital 3D mammography technology -- serving women in all five boroughs (information about first two screening events are below).

Digital breast tomosynthesis produces images of breast tissue in one-millimeter-thin layers, and allows radiologists to better detect breast tissue abnormalities. The Mount Sinai van also is equipped with an information system that incorporates a breast cancer risk assessment tool, and makes intake and follow-up communications available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, French and Haitian Creole.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Early detection of breast cancer by mammography can save lives. The American College of Radiology recommends that women age 40 and older get screened for breast cancer with mammography ever year.
According to Laurie Margolies, MD, System Chief of Breast Imaging, Mount Sinai Health System and Professor of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: “Annual screening mammography beginning at age 40 has been shown to save lives. Our goal is to help women understand the benefits of mammographic screening and early detection. We want to break down as many barriers as possible, and encourage women to participate in screening mammography. By reaching women right in their communities, Mount Sinai’s Mobile Mammography Program helps reduce disparities in breast cancer detection and survival in those disproportionately burdened by this disease.”

One out of four women age 40 and older in New York City is not regularly screened for breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, except for skin cancers, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. New York State has one of the highest breast cancer incidence rates in the country in New York City alone, there are approximately 6,000 new cases of breast cancer each year, and more than 1,000 breast cancer-related deaths.

Minority women face significant disparities in breast cancer screening and outcomes. Nationally, less than 50 percent of all Asian, Latina, and Native American women aged 40 and older had a mammogram within the past year. While black women have the highest screening rate among minority women- at 55 percent - they also have the highest breast cancer mortality.

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