Mobile mammography unit to offer a range of cancer screening services 

This fall, the UF Health Cancer Center will hit the road to bring mammography and other preventive health care services directly to the people.  

As of early June, the floors and walls were in place on the mobile cancer screening unit, which has been funded through UF President Ben Sasse’s $1.5-million Strategic Funding Initiative and the UF Health Cancer Center. Construction is set to finish in July. The unit will help address the limited access to mammography in many areas of North Central Florida.  

Addressing the community’s needs 

In the area the Cancer Center serves, 15 of the 23 counties have mammogram rates (a measure of how many women who are eligible for mammograms actually receive one) below the state average. Most of these counties are rural.  

All 15 of these rural counties have rates of advanced-stage diagnosis (cancers that are the hardest to treat), that are higher than the state’s rate. In areas with persistent poverty, the advanced-stage burden is even higher. 

In addition, 10 of the 23 counties have breast cancer mortality rates higher than the state average. Of the 25 counties with the highest mortality in the state, 12 are in the area the Cancer Center serves.  

To better serve this population, the mobile mammography unit will feature more than just mammograms. It will offer screenings for cervical, colon, and other cancers, as well as health care services and education. People can bring their friends and family to get screened for cancer and find help accessing the services they need – from locating resources for managing blood pressure to making appointments with specialists.  

“Bundled cancer screenings offer a group of tests that check for multiple types of cancer in one visit,” said Jennifer Woodard, R.N., M.P.H., CCRP, director of the Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement. “This approach makes it more convenient and efficient for patients, helping to detect cancers early and ensuring better, more comprehensive care.”

Bundling cancer screenings is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to improve health outcomes, especially for hard-to-reach populations (such as those in rural areas or areas with limited access to health care facilities), Woodard said. “It reduces the need for multiple appointments and travel, which can be major obstacles for many people,” she said. 

A closer look at the unit’s services 

Cervical cancer screenings 

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer, which is among the most preventable cancers due to highly effective HPV vaccines that reduce the risk of getting the strains of the HPV virus that are known to cause cancer. Cervical cancer screening is completed with an HPV test, a swab that is typically collected at the same time as a woman’s annual exam during their Pap smear. The HPV screening identifies those at risk for changes to their cervical cells. Often providers will send a small sample of the cells they collect during the Pap exam for a process called cytology where the cells are examined for any changes. The mobile unit will offer cervical cancer screening with HPV testing and, if needed, a Pap to collect cells for cytology. Women who are sexually active at age 21 should talk to their provider about getting screened for cervical cancer. Starting at age 25, women should get a primary HPV test every five years to stay up to date on cervical cancer screening. If any HPV screening tests are positive, providers will recommend more frequent screening.

Colorectal cancer screenings

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in the U.S. among cancers that affect both men and women. Routine screening is recommended for everyone, beginning at age 45, and screening can save lives by allowing treatment to begin before the disease spreads. People can get screened for colorectal cancer in a variety of ways; one option is through the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool. The mobile unit will provide FIT tests, and experienced health care workers will provide detailed instructions on how people can easily perform the test at home. Completed tests will be returned to health care providers who will follow up as needed. 

Prostate cancer screenings 

Prostate cancer screenings for men typically begin with a visit to a primary care doctor, which involves health history, prostate surface antigen testing, and digital rectal exams. Doctors staffing the mobile unit will provide patients with individualized advice on when and how to get screened for prostate cancer. 

Access to primary care services 

The mobile screening unit will take a holistic approach to ensure every patient’s health needs are met. Trained health care workers will guide patients to needed care in the community. Staff and patients will work together to make decisions and create coordinated health care plans. Staff will also help patients set personal goals to manage their health by providing education on controlling blood pressure, eating nutritious meals, and incorporating an exercise routine. 

Financial navigation 

Mobile unit staff will provide education on financial assistance resources available in the community. In addition, staff will help anyone in need apply on site for vouchers from the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Through this program, breast and cervical cancer screenings are free or low cost for those who meet eligibility requirements.  

Connection to UF research studies

People can also learn about opportunities to participate in research studies at the University of Florida. Many research studies are open to patients who have never had cancer.  

“By involving people from diverse backgrounds in clinical research, we gain insights into how treatments affect different communities,” Woodard said. “This knowledge allows us to develop interventions that can benefit everyone.”

Latest progress

Addressing the community’s needs

In the area the Cancer Center serves, 15 of the 23 counties have mammogram rates (a measure of how many women who are eligible for mammograms actually receive one) below the state average. Most of these counties are rural.  

All 15 of these rural counties have rates of advanced-stage diagnosis (cancers that are the hardest to treat), that are higher than the state’s rate. In areas with persistent poverty, the advanced-stage burden is even higher. 

In addition, 10 of the 23 counties have breast cancer mortality rates higher than the state average. Of the 25 counties with the highest mortality in the state, 12 are in the area the Cancer Center serves.