Despite juggling chemotherapy appointments along with two jobs, MaLeene TaBon is feeling fortunate that she caught her breast cancer early.

What You Need To Know

  • MaLeene TaBon says seeing Mount Sinai’s mobile mammography unit on her block prompted her to get check for breast cancer

  • That mammogram revealed early stage triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease

  • The ‘mammovan’ is stationed in different areas around the city as part of a broader effort by Mount Sinai and Boriken Neighborhood Health Center to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities of color

“When [my surgeon] went to check me it was too small to even feel for,” said TaBon. “I’m just very happy that I found out when I did.”

TaBon says she was overdue for a mammogram. When she saw Mount Sinai’s mobile mammography unit on her block in East Harlem this past July, she recognized an opportunity. A test revealed triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease.

“I was kind of in shock. I was slightly devastated, but it didn’t really hit until I spoke to the doctor and I had a real conversation [about] what exactly it was that he found, and then what was the next steps,” said TaBon.

The “mammovan” as it’s called is stationed on Third Avenue twice a month. Mount Sinai officials said the unit actually diagnoses more cancers and precancerous conditions per capita than their fixed sites.

“Bringing mobile mammography to this community is incredibly impactful. Patients feel very comfortable getting their mammogram in a facility [or] near a facility that they trust,” said Dr. Laurie Margolies, vice-chair of breast imaging for Mount Sinai Health Systems.

It’s part of a broader effort by Mount Sinai and Boriken Neighborhood Health Center to improve access to health care in underserved communities of color.

“We know that in this community… there’s health disparities when it comes to breast cancer in our community,” said Dr. Adam Aponte, interim chief executive officer of Boriken Neighborhood Health Center. “We know that white women have greater incidences of breast cancer, but Black and brown women are dying at greater rates of breast cancer."

TaBon’s case shows exactly what officials are trying to achieve: reaching patients where they are to give them the best chance possible. According to Mount Sinai, the van diagnosed 43 cancers or precancerous conditions among the roughly 8,000 patients served throughout the city last year.