Fans at the Bay FC game on Sept. 21 got to see more than exciting soccer on the field — they also had the chance to tour Sutter Health’s Mobile Mammography Vehicle, a state-of-the-art clinic on wheels designed to make breast cancer screening more accessible and convenient. The vehicle will return again on Sept. 27, continuing to raise awareness as Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches.
Stepping inside the mobile unit feels just like walking into a modern clinic. At the registration station, patients check in and verify their information before being guided through the process. A private changing area is provided so patients feel comfortable, and exams are performed using the latest technology: a 3D mammogram machine.
“This 3D tomosynthesis unit works almost like a CT scan,” said Emlyn Engalla, a mammogram tech at Sutter Health. “It takes images in slices — sometimes up to 30 to 40 images in one exposure depending on the thickness of your breast at the time of compression— which helps radiologists examine dense breast tissue more closely.
The exam itself is quick, lasting about 15 minutes or less. Afterward, patients can connect with a nurse practitioner who can provide follow-up care, check blood pressure and vitals, and even serve as a primary care provider for those without one. The vehicle is also equipped with a translation device for non-English speakers, a lift for patients with mobility challenges, and an onboard restroom — all designed to ensure comfort and accessibility.
Engalla stresses the importance of screenings, especially for women beginning at age 40. “So many women don’t realize they need to get a mammogram every year especially if you have family history she said. And unfortunately, at times we are beginning to see women under 40 come in with issues or at high risk that’s already coming in for a screening or diagnostic procedure. That’s why awareness is so critical.”
If you never have a problem or issue with your breast, you have no idea all the things that go on at the breast center. I am thankful to worked with the very experienced and skilled doctors at our clinic. She added that while cancer can’t be prevented, early detection makes all the difference. “Every day, we see women in the very early stages of breast cancer. Those cases are 99% curable when caught early. But women who find it later face a much more intense journey.”
By bringing advanced technology directly to communities, the Mobile Mammography Vehicle helps fill a critical gap for clinics without imaging equipment and makes screenings more convenient for busy women. “We go to so many clinics across the Bay Area that don’t have mammography units,” Engalla explained. “When we show up, we can take care of their patients right there.”
For Engalla and her team, the mission is simple: make sure women know the importance of getting checked and give them every opportunity to do so.
“The only thing you can do for yourself is get screened,” she said. “Even if you have breast cancer and we catch it early, after you go through the protocols and can still continue to live your life.”
