Note to editors/producers: High-resolution photos/video for this story are available for download at this link.
PHOENIX (Apr. 16, 2024) – Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center celebrated the unveiling of The BIG Pink Bus, a mobile mammography unit hitting valley streets that will offer 3D mammogram screenings to thousands, particularly those in outlying areas. The bus is life-changing for women who might want or need a mammogram, but don’t have the ability to get to an imaging site themselves, the most convenient option to stay on top of their breast cancer screenings.
“Scheduling a yearly mammogram screening is one of the easiest and most effective tools for treating breast cancer,” said Dr. Vilert Loving, chief of breast imaging and co-director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. “The mobile mammography unit will bring Banner MD Anderson’s comprehensive breast program and its breast cancer experts right to people’s doorstep. We are so proud to make healthcare easier for the Phoenix metropolitan population.”
Funded by generous donors to the Banner Health Foundation including the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Bashas’ Family of Stores, Copper State Bolt & Nut Co., and the Board of Visitors Care Card program, The BIG Pink Bus will offer the same 3D mammography technology available at Banner MD Anderson’s brick-and-mortar facilities. The 3D mammogram images – the gold standard in early breast cancer detection – will be interpreted by Banner MD Anderson’s team of specialist breast imaging radiologists. Additionally, patients will have ready access to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s comprehensive breast cancer program if further testing or treatment are needed.
“Whether it’s a lack of transportation holding women back from regular screenings, or professional or family obligations that make it difficult to make time for an appointment, The BIG Pink Bus makes it easier to overcome those obstacles,” said Andy Petersen, president and CEO of the Banner Health Foundation. “We are thrilled for this initiative to take off across the valley! This type of convenient access for all will save lives through early breast cancer detection.”
The BIG Pink Bus is expected to run 200 days per year, bringing 3D mammography screenings to 4,000+ women annually. The bus will be at several special events in the Phoenix metropolitan area in the coming weeks, including:
- Phoenix Convention Center: April 20 & 21
- Banner Sun City Health Center: April 30
- Banner Olive Branch Senior Center: May 2
- Wildlife World Zoo: May 7
To request more information or to schedule an event with The BIG Pink Bus, please fill out this form.
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center delivers cancer care to patients through the partnership of Banner Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner MD Anderson offers focused disease-specific expertise in the medical, radiation and surgical management of the cancer patient; an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to patient care; access to clinical trials and new investigative therapies; state-of-the-art technology for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of all types of cancer; oncology expertise in supportive care services. For more information, visit www.BannerMDAnderson.com.
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]