Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute part of Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) will be offering screening mammograms 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 10, 2019, at Roma Corporate Center, 1605 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., South Whitehall.

On average, the mammogram takes less than 15 minutes.

According to information provided by LVHN, the 3D Mammography Coach uses a Peplink EPX 15 Cellular SD-WAN router, which provides real-time imaging, as if clinicians were providing the mammogram in the hospital.

The coach’s 3D imaging helps identify breast cancer earlier, in its most treatable stages, and if a patient should need additional care, LVHN will provide the needed assistance.

Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute is the first to offer EPX in the United States for mobile health care, and the first in the world for mobile mammography.

The mobile mammography coach offers private changing rooms and mammogram area.

Staffed by Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute medical technologists, the mammogram reading is performed by Cancer Institute doctors and screening results are provided to the patient and her primary care provider.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about two-thirds of women over age 40 have had a mammogram within the past two years.

The five-year survival rate for women with breast cancer detected at the earliest stages is close to 100 percent.

LVHN recommends women begin annual mammography screening starting at age 40. The good news is that screening mammograms are covered by health insurance.

You do not need a prescription for a screening mammogram as long as you are age 40 or older and have not had a mammogram in the last 365 days.

Also, women cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding and should not have any abnormal symptoms such as pain, a lump or nipple discharge.

The Mobile Mammography Coach is only accessible by stairs and women need to walk up a few steps and remain standing during the exam.

To register for an appointment, be sure to have physician’s contact information and insurance card available at the time of the call.

Appointments are required and may be made by calling 888-402-LVHN (5846).

Businesses or community organization that want to learn more about hosting the Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute Mobile Mammography Coach, should call 610-402-8659 or email erin.yaworski@lvhn.org. There is no charge to host the mobile mammography coach.