Yale New Haven Health breast imaging van coming to Mohegan
Aug. 23—MOHEGAN — Yale New Haven Health's 3-D mammography and breast imaging van will provide women with access to the latest breast imaging technology here next week and on specified dates every month during the rest of the year, the health system and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital announced Monday.
The mobile unit will park from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. next Tuesday at the Uncasville Medical Center at Mohegan Sun. It will return Sept. 29, Oct. 25-26, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15.
Appointments for next Tuesday are available, according to Jacquelyn Crenshaw, senior manager of breast imaging for Yale New Haven Health.
Crenshaw said the health system rolled out its mobile breast imaging program 34 years ago and took delivery of its newest van — the first in the country to combine 3-D mammography and ultrasound imaging for women diagnosed with dense breast tissue — last November. She said the unit has enabled the system to reach underserved communities and those who have difficulty traveling to brick-and-mortar facilities.
Yale New Haven Health shut down the unit in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, creating "a huge backlog," Crenshaw said. The unit resumed operating in June.
The mobile unit and its technicians can accomodate 17 mammograms and nine ultrasound examinations a day, all in a private, personal setting.
Crenshaw said Yale New Haven Health follows guidelines established by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology, which says women with a strong family history of breast cancer may start having mammograms before the age of 40.
The American Cancer Society says women 40 to 44 years may begin annual breast cancer screenings, if they choose to do so. It recommends women 45 to 54 get annual mammograms and those 55 and older continue annual screenings or switch to mammograms every two years. Screenings should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live an additional 10 years or longer.
To schedule an appointment at the mobile unit, call (203) 688-1010 or 833-772-0003.
