The new AdventHealth West Florida Mobile Mammography Bus.
— TAMPA, Fla. – The AdventHealth West Florida Division has debuted its latest mobile mammography bus, a state-of-the-art vehicle fully funded through local philanthropy bringing critical breast cancer screening services directly to communities across the Tampa Bay region.
By making high-quality, convenient mammograms accessible, this initiative aims to empower more women to prioritize their health and increase the likelihood of early breast cancer detection, which can save lives.
“By offering mobile mammograms, AdventHealth is empowering individuals to prioritize their health,” said Genia Evarts, director of Outpatient Imaging for the AdventHealth West Florida Division. “This new bus not only represents our commitment to quality but also sets a high standard for the care we provide.”
Each year, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, but early detection dramatically improves survival rates, reaching nearly 100% when cancer is found at an early stage. The new mobile mammography bus offers advanced 3D imaging technology, providing women with comprehensive screenings from the comfort of their local community, workplace or school.
“Adding this new mobile mammography bus to AdventHealth West Florida’s fleet is a tremendous achievement,” Kristen McCall, president of AdventHealth West Florida Foundation, said. “We are grateful to our Foundation donors who invested in lifesaving care and allowed this addition to be fully funded through local philanthropy. The impact of enhancing access to early detection will be experienced for years ahead.”
In partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, the Florida Department of Health and other community agencies, the AdventHealth West Florida Division performed more than 7,000 mobile mammography patient screenings in 2023. Of those, 1,350 were with Hillsborough County Public Schools teachers and employees.
“Last year, when the mammogram bus came to my school, I decided to sign up,” Heather Leitzke, a Hillsborough County teacher, said. “I knew I needed a mammogram because my OB/GYN of 25 years had retired. I got my mammogram and didn’t think much of it until I got a phone call a couple weeks later saying there were abnormal findings. The results of a follow-up biopsy came back, and I heard the words no one wants to hear, ‘It’s cancer.’ Fortunately, they also used words like ‘caught early’ and ‘treatable.’ I had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation and I am now 6 months cancer-free! Thanks to AdventHealth for having this program and making it easy for busy teachers to get this important test.”
The new mobile mammography bus will serve as a rolling medical office, staffed by experienced technologists and equipped with advanced Hologic 3D imaging technology. This investment, made possible through the generosity of key supporters like Ashley and Robert Thomas, emphasizes the community’s commitment to accessible and preventative health care.
“Early detection is essential in the successful treatment of breast cancer and this new mammography bus will provide access to that for some of Tampa Bay’s hardest-working women,” the Thomas family said. “Our family is proud to partner with AdventHealth Foundation West Florida to support the exceptional care that they will provide through this lifesaving service.”
Learn more about eligibility or scheduling the mobile mammography bus at a location near you.