New mammography lab hits the streets

New mammography lab hits the streets

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Story Published: Jul 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 17, 2007 at 7:46 AM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

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SEATTLE -- Women in Washington state have higher rates of breast cancer than any other part of the country, but fewer women her have regular mammograms.

There are many reasons why women don't get a mammogram; some don't have time, and some don't have access to good medical care.

On Monday, the community made it a lot easier to get the potentially life-saving test.

Safeway CEO Steve Burd came to Seattle to dedicate the mobile mammography center. The 40-foot, custom-built vehicle is state of the art, and contains a full-field digital mammography lab.

"I know this vehicle will save lives," said Dr. Connie Lehman, who was one of the people who came up with the idea of a mammography center on wheels.

"We're not going to wait anymore, we're going to act," she said. "We're going to get this van into communities. We're going to increase the screening rates and we're going to start to show a difference."

Breast cancer survivor Trish May attended the dedication ceremony and aid she wouldn't be alive today if she hadn't had a mammogram.

"This mobil mammogram unit will allow people all across Western Washington to have access to a technology that is very sophisticated and can detect cancer at a much earlier stage," said May, who is CEO of Athena Partners.

The vehicle was unveiled at the University Village Safeway, where employees and customers helped raise the $800,000 needed to by the unique mobile lab.

Safeway customer Lisa Jensen, who lost her sister to breast cancer, was at the unveiling.

"I'm very touched," she said during her tour of the vehicle. "It just makes me feel good and I know she's looking down."

It's going to cost a lot of money to operate the mobile mammography center, so the Safeway Foundation surprised the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance with a check for $200,000, which should cover those costs for about two years.

The vehicle is expected to hit the road in mid-August, once the FDA gives final approval.

Cancer Care Alliance officials say no one seeking a mammogram at the new mobile lab will be turned away, regardless of their ability to pay.

The new vehicle joins the Swedish Hospital Breast Care Express mobile mammography lab.

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