Reading Hospital is hosting Mobile Mammography Coach screening events throughout Berks County in 2023. These appointments are available to all women 40 years old, or those considered high-risk, are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding, and have not had a screening mammogram in the past year.
“As we begin a new year and individuals are setting goals and prioritizing their health and wellness, I encourage all women to schedule their annual mammogram,” said Andrew Rettew, DO, Chief, Division of Hematology & Oncology at McGlinn Cancer Institute at Reading Hospital. “The American College of Radiology recommends that all women get their first mammogram at the age of 40 and it is well-documented that early detection saves lives. I appreciate the efforts of the Reading Hospital Foundation to ensure this critical screening can be available throughout our community.”
All events are listed at towerhealth.org/MobileMammo. Current upcoming events include:
January
- January 10 - Alvernia University
- January 11 and 12 - Reading Hospital 6th Avenue Clocktower Entrance
- January 16 - Boscov’s East
- January 17 - Albright College
- January 25 and 26 - The Reading Hospital Surgical Center at Spring Ridge
February
- February 1 - Berks Community Health Center - Rockland
- February 8 and 9 - Reading Hospital 6th Avenue Clocktower Entrance
- February 11 - Centro Hispano
- February 14 - SafeBerks
- February 22 and 23 - The Reading Hospital Surgical Center at Spring Ridge
March
- March 1 - Berks Community Health Center – Penn Street
- March 20 - Pottstown Cluster
- March 30 - Community Health and Dental Care – Pottstown
- March 31 - Boyertown Area School District
Kathrine Thornton, President, Reading Hospital Foundation, shared, “We know many women can face barriers when attempting to access preventative care, such as lack of transportation or childcare, or inconvenient scheduling hours. These same barriers occur for our employees and their friends and family members, which is why Reading Hospital’s Mobile Mammography Coach will continue to visit areas across our communities, including locations in the health system for our own team members. We remain committed to reducing barriers and want to bring life-saving screening mammograms to all the women in our community.”
The American College of Radiology has granted the Mobile Mammography Coach a three-year accreditation. This accreditation demonstrates that women who use the mobile mammography unit will get the same exceptional patient care as they do at any of Tower Health's mammography imaging locations, with coordinated scheduling, testing, follow-up, and referrals.
“A mammogram screening on the coach only takes about 15 minutes,” said Ashley Gallen, Mobile Mammography Program Coordinator. “Our Mobile Mammography Coach is outfitted with the same state-of-the-art technology – 3D tomosynthesis – found at any of our breast imaging centers. The technology improves the accuracy of imaging, reduces unnecessary callback visits, and enables providers to detect more invasive cancers.”
Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment should call 484-628-8611. Preventive screenings are covered under most insurance plans. Reading Hospital is committed to saving lives through early detection. The Patient Financial Assistance Program will work to enroll women who are under- or uninsured and meet eligibility requirements. Contact Reading Hospital Financial Counselors at 484-628-7400 with questions.
To learn more about hosting an event in Berks County, please contact Ashley Gallen, Program Coordinator at 484-628-2208 or send an email to MobileMammo@towerhealth.org.
Donations are being accepted to support the Mobile Mammography Patient Assistance Fund. Individuals interested in donating can visit towerhealth.org/RHFoundation, click "Make a Gift," and select "Mobile Mammography Coach" from the Gift Purpose drop-down menu.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across service lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.