Mobile mammogram unit visits Skid Row to reach women with limited screenings

A mobile mammogram unit visited Skid Row after Union Rescue Mission found that 87% of women at its shelter were not up to date on breast or cervical cancer screenings; shelter medical staff, including a UCLA faculty physician, helped organize the outreach.

A mobile mammogram unit visited Skid Row to provide on-site breast screening services in an area where women's health services are limited. Union Rescue Mission reported that 87% of women living at the shelter were not up to date on breast or cervical cancer screenings. Mary Marfisee, the shelter's family medical services director and a UCLA faculty physician, said the shelter decided to provide services directly rather than rely on external referrals. The visit was noted alongside other UCLA-related news items in media coverage that day. Key details: - Union Rescue Mission reported 87% of women at its shelter were not up to date on breast or cervical cancer screenings. - Mary Marfisee, a UCLA faculty physician and the shelter's medical services director, said the shelter organized on-site care because outside services had become harder to access. - A mobile mammogram unit visited Skid Row to offer screenings to shelter residents. - The same media roundup noted other UCLA coverage, including a $100 million donation to UCLA Health for mental health expansion and multiple university research items. Summary: The outreach brought preventive screening services directly to a shelter population reported to have high rates of overdue screenings, and shelter leaders partnered with medical staff to run the clinic. Undetermined at this time.