OCONTO FALLS (NBC26) — From Manitowoc to Marinette, Prevea Health’s mobile mammography bus travels all over Northeast Wisconsin every week. Starting this month, it's now bringing mammograms to Oconto County.
“When people step onto the bus, they are expecting a bus," said Brittany Demeuse, prevea health mammography technician "This really looks like a clinic. Patients are experiencing the same staff, the same equipment on that mobile unit as they would experience in the clinic setting.“
Every woman over the age of 45 should get a breast cancer screening every year, the American Cancer Society suggests. Many women aren’t able to make the time annually or don’t have a nearby place to go get a mammogram. When Prevea launched its mobile mammography unit three years ago, Demeuse saw patients who hadn’t had a mammogram in years, she said.
“Mammograms have the ability to detect cancer before you can feel it," said Demeuse. "Sometimes you can’t always feel a lump growing. There are some cancers that are only detected using mammography.“
The reason more local women are now getting checked is because they don’t have to drive all the way to Green Bay or Appleton, she said. They can get screened in their hometown
“They don’t have to take off for that half day," said Demeuse. "They can just get their mammogram and go right back to work.“
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing many patients to put off routine check-ups, the demand for Prevea’s bus has only grown, she said.
“Patients come back year after year," said Demeuse. "I truly believe they're telling their friends and families too. Word is definitely getting out, and even if they just drive past our bus, they’re like, ‘Oh yes, I need to get my mammogram done,’ so then they call and schedule, which is great.“
The mobile mammography unit currently visits 13 different Prevea locations. You can find more information on how to schedule your mammography here.
