Mobile mammography unit comes to Coshocton
Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The OSU Mobile Mammography Unit from the James Cancer Hospital provided its services to local residents on April 24.
“Bringing the mobile unit here was part of the community health improvement plan that the county and city health departments are working on,” said Katherine Clark, RN, BSN, with the Coshocton City Health Department. “We wanted to do this because of the high rates of cancer we have in our county.”
The mobile unit was parked in the city health department’s lot and almost 20 women pre-registered for mammograms.
“We had 17 pre-register and more people were seeing it out there and calling,” Clark said.
Those who were seen by the mobile unit were billed through their insurance and there was a financial assistance program available to those who were uninsured. Out of pocket cost was $135. Both 2D and 3D imaging could be done.
“You get the same exam here that you would at a hospital,” said Nira Pullien, office assistant/registration and mobile unit driver. “We are just on wheels.”
She added that the recommended age for your first mammogram is 40, but based on your family history it may be as young as 35.
“If you are under 40 we have to have a script for the screening,” Pullien said.
The mobile unit will be in the area again from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23 at the New Bedford Country Store. To schedule an appointment, call 800-240-4477 or 614-293-4455 at least two weeks in advance.
Category: People & Places
