For women’s health patients in northern Minnesota, getting an annual mammogram just became a bit more convenient. A new mobile mammography truck is up and running, parking outside the Sanford Health Clinic in Bagley every Tuesday, and in Walker every Thursday.
Alicia Underdahl is a radiology manager at Sanford Bemidji. She’s been working on getting this mobile unit ready for quite some time, and she’s excited that it’s now operational.
“One of our initiatives was to bring care close to home for our patients,” Underdahl said. “That’s been the big driver behind this and the big success.”
Time saver for patients
Jane Swenson lives in Walker, and today she got her mammogram on the mobile unit for the very first time.
“It was very fast, you know, in and out really quick,” Swenson said.
She used to drive to the Edith Sanford Breast Center in Bemidji for her annual test. Having the truck in her hometown saves a whole lot of driving time.
“It’s 45 minutes or so to drive from here to Bemidji,” Swenson said. “I would think that this would encourage people to come in.”
Plus, the truck allows for 3D mammography, which can detect more cancers — especially in dense breasts — and decrease false positives as well.
More screenings mean more early detections
The truck was made possible thanks to philanthropic donors who gave to Sanford Health Foundation in the Bemidji region. That investment will allow about 1,100 more people to be screened for breast cancer every year in their community. With one in eight women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, that equates to nearly 140 women being diagnosed earlier each year because of this unit, with basically no difference in service.
“The only difference is the walk to and from the truck,” Underdahl said. “Otherwise it’s the exact same machine, exact same techs. We bring them into the mammo suite. We shut one of the privacy doors, just like a normal room. Takes about 10 minutes at the most. And then they’re off.”
Sanford Health recommends annual mammograms starting at age 40 for average-risk women. Women at higher risk for breast cancer should work with their provider to determine their best options.
As far as this mobile unit goes, new locations are already planned. Services begin in Blackduck in early 2026, with Park Rapids and other towns soon to follow.
To schedule an appointment in Bemidji or on the mobile mammography truck, please call the Bemidji radiology scheduling department at (218) 333-4624, or find a location near you to schedule online.
Learn more
- Mammography at Sanford: The importance of regular screening
- Podcast: Preparing for your first mammogram
- 3D mammograms now available in more rural clinics
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Posted In Bemidji, Cancer, Cancer Screenings, Foundation
