University Hospital rolled out its new mobile mammography unit March 7 in Newark.

Along with additional supporters, the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Foundation contributed $500,000, while the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey awarded a $400,000 grant toward the $1.2 million state-of-the-art cancer screening bus, according to the hospital.

The new vehicle replaces an original bus that served the community for 15 years, before ceasing operations during the pandemic. It is run in partnership with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. University Hospital said the new vehicle will bridge critical health care gaps for women in Essex County. The unit expects to reach 4,000 underserved women each year.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, Essex is one of four counties in the state that have a significantly higher proportion (+9%) of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses. Of the 220 breast cancer cases detected by University Hospital’s predecessor mobile unit, the hospital said 67% were already at invasive stages.

Earlier in 2024, University Hospital committed to increasing breast cancer screening rates by 20% for higher-risk community members. As a safety-net institution, the hospital said it frequently sees patients seeking treatment for advanced stages of breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, the survival rate drops significantly for early, localized disease (99%) to late-stage, distant disease (24%).

The mammography bus features cutting-edge breast imaging technology, a bilingual care team and private examination room.

Ed Jimenez, president and CEO of University Hospital, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch, stating, “We recognize the numerous challenges our community faces in accessing preventative care. With the introduction of this new unit, complete with a dedicated care team and 3D mammography capabilities, we aspire to reach more individuals and ultimately save more lives.”

In South Jersey, Virtua Health is also driving mobile health initiatives:

• $1M mobile health & cancer screening van hits the road (slideshow)
• Eat Well program takes a different route to alleviate food insecurity