Mammography in Motion: Celebrating One Year of Impact

One year ago, University Hospital launched a bold initiative to address a life-threatening health disparity in northern New Jersey: breast cancer in Black women.

Black women face the highest breast cancer mortality rates in the U.S. At UH, our patients are nearly twice as likely as the national average to be diagnosed at advanced stages. In 2023, approximately 36% of women first screened at UH were diagnosed with a later stage cancer, and African American patients had a much higher mortality rate and experienced a higher incidence of inflammatory breast cancer.

In response, University Hospital Foundation partnered with generous donors including the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Foundation, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, and others, to bring screening services directly to the communities most at risk. With their support, we acquired a new, state-of-the-art, $1.2 million mobile mammography unit, equipped with 3D imaging and staffed full-time by a dedicated team.

Since its launch in March 2024, the Mobile Mammography Program has brought vital breast cancer screenings to neighborhoods across Essex and Union counties. It collaborates with community-based organizations to reach women who might otherwise go without care. In its first year, the unite screened 2,365 women is on track to exceed 4,000 screenings annually by year two. All services are offered free of charge to under- and uninsured patients, eliminating one of the most significant barriers to early detection and care.

Community feedback says it all:

“This is such a good program for the community.”
“I don’t have health insurance, and this is a blessing.”
“This is my first mammogram, and I don’t know if I would have done it if it wasn’t for you.”

With compassion, innovation, and community trust, this program is saving lives one screening at a time.