The Brightside: Pink Mobile Mammography Van Breaks Down Barriers to Breast Cancer Screenings

SALISBURY, Md. — It’s officially October, and breast cancer awareness is in the spotlight. While screenings are critical in detecting breast cancer early, accessing them isn’t always easy for women living in rural areas.

In the newest edition of The Brightside, WMDT highlighted a new pink van bringing mammograms directly to women who might otherwise face barriers to accessing preventive care. The mobile unit is sponsored by Choptank Electric Cooperative.

This mammogram comes with four wheels.

TidalHealth’s Mobile Mammography unit is bringing breast cancer screenings to rural communities while providing women with support throughout the process.

“This unit is providing preventive screening mammograms for women who are eligible and 40 and older,” said Kat Rodgers, director of Community Health Initiatives for TidalHealth.

For women who use the mobile clinic, that convenience can mean one less obstacle between them and an important health check.

“Women, a lot of times, are taking care of others,” Rodgers said. “Prevention is not front of mind, but prevention is key.”

The support doesn’t stop after the screening. Rodgers said some women may need follow-up diagnostic testing, which can be overwhelming. The mobile unit’s nurse helps patients navigate that process.

“Our nurse is really with them through that whole continuum and that whole journey,” Rodgers said.

For organizers, the goal is more than bringing mammograms closer to home. It’s also about making sure women have the resources and support they need before, during and after a diagnosis.

“We’re always trying to be out there in the community, educating women,” said Raven Cook, public relations and marketing coordinator for Women Supporting Women.

That includes encouraging women to know what is normal for them, perform self-exams and stay up to date on annual mammograms.

Cook said a breast cancer diagnosis can sometimes cause women to lose sight of who they are beyond the disease.

“You’re more than a survivor,” Cook said. “If you’re diagnosed, you’re more than your diagnosis.”

Women Supporting Women offers a variety of free resources for those affected by breast cancer, including Piglet pillows, seat belt pillows, wigs, bras and prostheses.

“Piglet pillows go right on your arm after your mastectomy, just to relieve pressure from those incision wounds,” Cook said.

For women undergoing chemotherapy, seat belt pillows can help protect sensitive areas around a chemo port.

The organization also offers a lift chair loaner program for women recovering from procedures such as reconstruction or a bilateral mastectomy.

“We just want to make recovery a little bit easier,” Cook said.

From scheduling the first appointment to navigating what comes next, the organizations involved are working to make sure women don’t have to go through the process alone.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with TidalHealth’s Mobile Mammography unit, you can do so here.