Mobile cancer screening coming to you in NJ, whether or not you’re insured

Can't find time to get to the doctor? That may be a weaker excuse these days.

Mobile health care has taken a major step forward with Virtua Health's introduction of a massive cancer-screening van, which is making several stops per month to handle patients with or without health insurance.

The hospital system is out with its schedule (toward the bottom of this article) of planned stops through November, and dates will continue to be added into 2024.

"We are really trying to provide access to groups of people that traditionally wouldn't have access, or maybe there's a distrust of the health system," said Lisa Rosenberry, director of community-based services for Virtua.

Each stop offers mammograms and other vital cancer screenings for women; it all happens inside the 40-foot van. Every patient will see the nurse practitioner, and no prescription is needed.

The mobile unit provides:

⚫ 3D mammography

⚫ Clinical breast exams

⚫ Gynecologic exams

⚫ Pap smear to detect cervical cancer

⚫ Colorectal screening options

Some stops also include a PSA blood screening for uninsured men, to test for prostate cancer.

"And then if we find out that they don't have a primary care physician, we try to link them to one," Rosenberry said.

Appointments are required in order to be seen by the mobile unit and can be made by calling 856-247-7388.

The sessions below typically run from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Virtua mobile cancer screenings

For people with health insurance

Oct. 24: Christ Baptist Church, Burlington

Nov. 1: Virtua Primary Care—Burlington, Burlington

Nov. 8: CAMcare, Camden

Nov. 16: Southern Jersey Family Medical Center, Burlington

For NJ residents without health insurance

Nov. 2: Southern Jersey Family Medical Center, Burlington

Nov. 15: Women's Opportunity Center, Delran

Nov. 20: Pemberton Library, Browns Mills

Screenings for uninsured residents are possible through the state's CEED (Cancer Education and Early Detection) program.

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