A mobile mammography center is taking to the streets of eight counties throughout the Southern Tier and beyond.
The Lourdes hospital mobile mammography van has railings for easy walk-ups, and is loaded with supplies with the goal of getting as many people screened for cancer as possible.
“Our drivers, they check in everyone and they set the van up. The van has to be level. They have to be here approximately an hour, an hour and a half, before the event starts,” said Lori Kemmerer, the Mobile Mammography program manager.
Within the van, 3-D technology allows women to get a scan in just 15 minutes. It’s then sent to a radiologist, and results are back within three to five days. In the days of COVID, this unique method allows for a quick test without going into a medical setting.
“Women are able to pull up in their car, walk in the van, get their mammo and head out. There’s no going to an office, a hospital, waiting room. It’s just very, very convenient,” said Kemmerer.
Kemmerer has been with Lourdes for five years, and in that time, she’s seen the van change lives more times than one.
“I have several personal friends that because they had their yearly mammos, their cancer was detected early and they’re perfectly fine today, and they were on the van when it was found,” said Kemmerer.
For those hesitant to get a screening, she has just one message.
“Early detection saves lives. I cannot say that enough. Please take care of yourself, because you have so many people you have to take care of, and they need you,” said Kemmerer.
This van is on the move just about every couple of days. If you’re interested in getting screened, the van will be at the the Lourdes Primary Care facility in Endicott on November 11 and the Floyd Bell Elementary in Kirkwood on November 17.
