Project ScanVan: Mobile mammography services to decrease socioeconomic barriers and racial disparities among medically underserved women in NYC
Tsapatsaris, Ava; Reichman, Melissa
Why this matters
Mobile mammography programs are asked whether free screening actually overcomes cost and insurance barriers. Of 3,745 screenings on New York's ScanVan in 2019, 66 percent of patients were Hispanic or African American and 43 percent were uninsured, and the van detected 17 cancers, 4.5 per 1,000 screened.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether, with access to free screening services, uninsured minority women in NYC are able to successfully manage existing barriers to breast cancer screening. This study examined 2019 data from 3,745 screenings performed by Project Renewal's ScanVan. Key findings: 66% of patients were Hispanic or African American; 43% were uninsured. The mobile van detected 17 breast cancers (4.5 per 1,000 screened) with a 7% recall rate. The mobile mammography screening van successfully overcame barriers, providing uninsured women from racial minority groups with vital breast cancer screening and follow up care.