����������

On October 28, 2024, Fox Chase Cancer Center unveiled its latest Mobile Screening Unit (MSU), a state-of-the-art cancer research center on wheels. Larger than a municipal bus, the new MSU will provide comprehensive cancer screening and outreach services in Philadelphia, surrounding counties, and parts of New Jersey. The mobile unit aims to increase access to early screening and lifesaving care, particularly for vulnerable populations who face a higher burden of cancer. 

The MSU originated in 1988 as a mobile mammography unit, known as the “Mammovan.” Over the years, it has become a vital resource for breast cancer screening and awareness in the Delaware Valley. The newest iteration of the MSU expands on this legacy by offering screenings for various cancer types, including skin, colorectal, oral, head and neck, and cervical cancers, along with digital 3-D mammography. It also serves as a mobile vaccine distribution center and a site for phlebotomy and population studies, enhancing its role in community health and cancer research. 

Its updated capabilities aim to promote inclusivity in cancer research by collecting biospecimens and population data from underserved communities, helping to tailor cancer care and improve outcomes for all patients. “This unit will enable us to offer research opportunities to populations who traditionally have been underrepresented, thus furthering our understanding of how to tailor our care to improve outcomes for all patients,” said Evelyn González, assistant director of Fox Chase’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.