Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and City Council Member Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) joined Montefiore Breast Surgeon, Dr. Ethan Ravetch and other Montefiore leaders on Monday, Oct. 29, to present Montefiore Einstein with a check for $800,000 for two new 3D mammogram machines, and $600,000 to fund a new mammography mobile unit that will travel around The Bronx next year.

 

Montefiore Einstein officials said the latest expansion of cancer-related services builds on the efforts of Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), to meet people where they are by increasing access to breast cancer screening and bringing clinical care to more community settings.

 

MECCC was founded in 1971 and is the fourth oldest National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center in the U.S. It’s located at Hutchinson Metro Center at 1250 Waters Place in Pelham Bay.

The Montefiore Einstein Breast Care Center opened at the same location in September 2023 as reported and is where the latest check presentation took place. Montefiore-Einstein officials said the Breast Care Center was designed with a single purpose: advancing Montefiore’s ability to deliver the most personalized care to its patients.

 

Breast cancer affects one in eight women, and Montefiore-Einstein officials said, “In the Bronx, too often, we see these cancers diagnosed at later stages. That doesn’t have to be the case. Screening for breast cancer is critical. When detected early, breast cancer is very treatable and curable.”

Montefiore officials said, each year, Montefiore Einstein’s research is advancing screening and treatment options and trying to reduce side effects that might impact some populations more than others.

 

With the new funding, they said the borough is better positioned to enhance access to screening for Bronx residents.