Mobile program brings mammograms to rural areas

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, Essentia Health is highlighting an innovative—and recently expanded—program that brings early breast cancer detection services to rural communities. Essentia’s mobile mammography trucks have added additional locations across the rural health leader’s footprint, from central North Dakota to western Wisconsin, bringing convenient mammography services to more patients. The program will reduce travel time and eliminate barriers for those seeking mammograms—a critical tool to catch initial signs of breast cancer.

“We know that mammograms save lives, so making it easier for our patients to get these tests is really important,” said Kayla Soland, imaging manager at Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes. “Travel burdens often deter people in rural areas from seeking preventive care, and Essentia is proud to help solve that problem for those we serve.”

Essentia will now offer mobile mammography in nearly 20 communities, including Ada, Mahnomen, Pelican Rapids, Bagley and Walker in Minnesota, as well as Lisbon and Valley City in North Dakota. Additional sites are likely to be added in the future.

The trucks will provide routine 3-D mammograms. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the nearest Essentia clinic. Patients also can schedule an appointment through the MyChart patient portal.

By investing in mobile mammography services, Essentia is increasing early detection rates in rural communities, potentially leading to better health outcomes for patients in those areas.

“This is a great example of our commitment to advancing rural health care,” Soland says. “We’re proud to be able to bring this care directly to our patients.”

Early detection is key

With the exception of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). By the end of 2025, the ACS estimates that nearly 317,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed and more than 42,000 women will die from the disease in the U.S.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great reminder to prioritize breast health and consider scheduling a mammogram. Knowing that early detection is crucial, Essentia recommends women of average risk get a mammogram screening every year beginning at age 40. Between these appointments, it’s important to practice self-breast awareness, which is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. See a provider if you’re experiencing any of the following:

• Changes in the size or shape of the breast.

• A painful or itchy nipple.

• Discharge from the nipple without squeezing.

• Swelling, redness, warmth or darkening of the breast.

• Lumps or thickening in the breast or underarm area.

• A change in skin texture.

• A changing of the nipple position or shape.

• New pain in one spot that does not go away.

Please contact your insurance if you have questions regarding mammogram coverage.

The Essentia Health High-Risk Breast Cancer Program focuses on helping patients understand their risk for developing breast cancer. After a thorough history, examination and education session, the patient and Breast Health Program nurse practitioner partner to form a personalized plan of care.

Patients can lower their breast cancer risk by doing some of the following:

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Exercise regularly.

• Limit alcohol intake.

• Limit hormone use.

• Breastfeed if possible.

• Avoid tobacco products