Mobile mammography appointments available
The Reading Hospital Foundation’s mobile mammography bus will be making the rounds throughout Berks County.
The bus will be making several stops during the first three months of the year, according to a schedule released Tuesday by Reading Hospital.
Outfitted with the latest technology, including 3D tomosynthesis, the mobile mammography bus uses a digital mammography screening tool that improves the accuracy of imaging, reducing unneeded follow-up visits and enables caregivers to detect more invasive cancers.
Andrew Rettew, chief of the hematology and on- cology division at McGlinn Cancer Institute at Reading Hospital, encourages all women to schedule their annual mammograms as they begin a new year and are setting goals and prioritizing their health and wellness.
“The American College of Radiology recommends that all women get their first mammogram at the age of 40 and it is well documented that early detection save lives,” he said. “I appreciate the efforts of the Reading Hospital Foundation to ensure this critical screening can be available throughout our community.”
Appointments are available to all women 40 years old or those considered high risk, and have not had a screening mammogram in the past year.
The following are the upcoming events:
“I appreciate the efforts of the Reading Hospital Foundation to ensure this critical screening can be available throughout our community.” — Andrew Rettew, chief of the hematology and oncology division at McGlinn Cancer Institute at Reading Hospital
January
• Jan. 11 and 12: Reading Hospital Sixth Avenue Clocktower Entrance
• Jan. 16: Boscov’s East
• Jan. 17: Albright College
• Jan. 25 and 26: The
Reading Hospital Surgical Center at Spring Ridge
February
• Feb. 1: Berks Community Health Center in Rockland
• Feb. 8 and 9: Reading Hospital, Sixth Avenue entrance
• Feb. 11: Hispanic Center
• Feb. 14: SafeBerks
• Feb. 22 and 23: The Reading Hospital Surgical Center at Spring Ridge
March
• March 1: Berks Community Health Center on Penn Street
• March 20: Pottstown Cluster
• March 30: Community Health and Dental Care in Pottstown
• March 31: Boyertown
School District
Kathrine Thornton, Reading Hospital Foundation president, said the mission of the mobile mammography bus is to reduce barriers to health care and bring life-saving screening mammograms to all the women in the community.
“We know many women can face barriers when attempting to access preventative care, such as lack of transportation or child care or inconvenient scheduling hours,” she said. “These same barriers occur for our employees and their friends and family members, which is why Reading Hospital’s Mobile Mammography Coach will continue to visit areas across our communities, including locations in the health system for our own team members.”
Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment should call 484-628-8611.
Preventive screenings are covered under most insurance plans. The Patient Financial Assistance Program will work to enroll women who are underinsured or uninsured and meet eligibility requirements. Contact Reading Hospital financial counselors at 484-628-7400 with questions.