A new mobile mammogram van from Penn Medicine will begin serving Philadelphia and nearby communities, with its first appearance scheduled for a community health fair in West Philadelphia on July 13. The van aims to increase access to breast cancer screenings by bringing services directly to neighborhoods throughout the region.
“We are thrilled to introduce Penn Medicine’s first mobile mammogram van, something we’ve been looking forward to—and the community has been asking us for,” said Brian Englander, MD, the Robert E. Campbell Professor of Radiology and chair of Radiology at Pennsylvania Hospital. “When we bring our mammography services directly to community partners and events, we can make lifesaving breast cancer screenings more accessible for all.”
The launch event will take place during Penn Medicine’s annual community health fair at Compassion CDC’s community center at 6150 Cedar Ave., held in partnership with the Community of Compassion CDC. The fair is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will offer various activities.
Attendees can receive several free health screenings, including breast cancer screening mammograms, colon cancer screening kits, PSA blood tests for prostate cancer, lung cancer risk assessments, liver and vascular health assessments via ultrasound, eye health checks, throat cancer screenings, as well as diabetes and hypertension testing. Liver screening participants are advised to fast for three hours before their exam.
No health insurance is required for participation. If an abnormal result is found during any screening, Penn Medicine staff will assist individuals in connecting with follow-up care resources.
The event also features free food, raffle prizes, and a visit from the Philadelphia 76ers Entertainment Team as part of their Box Out Cancer initiative.
“This health fair has become one of my favorite times of the year—it’s rewarding to see so many people come back year after year,” said Linda White Nunes, MD, MPH, professor of Clinical Radiology and vice chair for Community Health in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Since 2021, Penn Medicine has collaborated with Siemens Healthineers on annual free mammogram events. Nearly 1,000 free mammograms have been performed over four years at these events; nine cases of breast cancer were detected—above average compared to national detection rates.
“Both the cancer detection numbers, and the high rate of first-time mammograms indicate that we’re reaching people who truly need this service,” Nunes explained.
This new mobile unit expands on existing programs like the Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative—which since 2014 has provided free mammograms and Pap smears for uninsured or underinsured patients—and continues efforts by Abramson Cancer Center targeting underserved populations.
Earlier events used a larger Siemens Healthineers unit requiring a semi-truck cab; now Penn’s new donor- and grant-supported van is more compact and maneuverable while still offering advanced imaging technology through Siemens’ 3D mammography equipment in a private suite.
“Siemens Healthineers has proudly supported Penn Medicine’s tireless efforts to bring free annual mammography screening to underserved women in Philadelphia,” said Niral Patel, head of X-Ray Products at Siemens Healthineers North America. “Today, we congratulate Penn Medicine on the acquisition of its own mobile mammography van, which will help expand patient access to potentially life-saving screening technology.”
Penn plans further outreach by partnering with local organizations across Greater Philadelphia; groups interested in hosting the van can request it online. At public events using the van moving forward—including those yet-to-be-scheduled—insurance will be billed when possible but lack of insurance will not prevent anyone from receiving care.
“We’re dedicated to empowering our community with accessible cancer screenings, education, and prevention resources,” said Carmen E. Guerra, MD, Ruth C. and Raymond G. Perelman Professor and associate director for Community Outreach and Engagement at Abramson Cancer Center. “With this new mobile mammogram van, we’ll be even better equipped to provide essential preventive care across the Greater Philadelphia Area.”
