The Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute introduced its new mobile mammography coach last week during a ceremony at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. The coach provides a convenient way for women to have 3D screening mammograms where they’re located.

“Preventive cancer screening has the power to change and save lives,” said Lori Alfonse, DO, Surgical Oncology, Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute. “We want to put that power into motion by bringing screening mammography to the workplace, schools or community organization. By bringing the service to them, we can provide a critical service for women who have many demands on their time. We hope it will help many more women take advantage of one of the best cancer detection tools out there.”

In addition to rolling out the mobile mammography coach, the Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute also announced the completed major expansion of Breast Health Services at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. The expansion more than doubles the previous space and improves the patients’ experience.

The expansion, from roughly 6,000 square feet to 13,000 square feet allows Breast Health Services to separate screening from diagnostic mammography to give diagnostic patients added privacy and comfort.

The added space also allowed BHS to purchase two more state-of-the-art 3D mammography units and an additional ultrasound unit. The new 3D units are equipped with SmartCurve technology providing a curved, unique design that mirrors the shape of a woman’s breast to reduce pinching and apply uniform compression over the entire breast. More machines mean more patients can be scheduled more quickly because for someone who’s found a breast lump, even a few days can seem like a very long wait.

Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute’s mobile mammography coach provides the latest mammogram technology — including 3D imaging — which helps identify breast cancer earlier, in its most treatable stages. It uses a Peplink EPX 15 Cellular SD-WAN router, which allows for real time imaging and incredible reliability on a mobile coach as if the clinicians were providing the mammogram in the hospital. Lehigh Valley Health Network is the first to offer EPX in the United States for mobile health care and the first in the world for mobile mammography. Should a patient need follow-up care, Lehigh Valley Health Network will provide that support.

The coach measures about 40 feet long by almost 9 feet wide and 13-and-a-half feet high and requires 60 feet of curbside parking when on location.

“Mammography that comes to you is the logical next step in the evolution of Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute’s distinguished Breast Health Services program,” said Brian Nester, DO, MBA, FACOEP, LVHN’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

To find out more about the mobile mammography coach visit https://www.lvhn.org/mammocoach, or call 888-402-LVHN, ext. 5846.