Breast Health Equity Program

Reducing Breast Health Inequities at Fred Hutch

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is dedicated to making sure more people get up to date on their mammography screenings and to reducing the barriers to preventive care that women of color experience. 

Our Mission

We are committed to providing a safe and equitable space where all people — of any race, ethnicity, gender identity or age — have a fair and just opportunity to manage their overall breast health care.

Why Breast Health?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Even though white women are more likely to develop breast cancer, Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from it. Annual screening mammograms save lives by finding cancer early, when it is smaller and easier to treat. We recommend for overall health, you connect with a primary care physician.

Inequities in Screening

In the Seattle area, only about 60 percent Black women get screening mammography, but 70 percent of white women get screening mammography. Helping more women get screened will help save many lives. We are proud to partner with UW Primary Care, UW Population Health, UW Medical Center, UW Neighborhood Clinics, Neighborcare, Sea Mar and International Community Health Services to make sure that all women of color can get breast cancer screenings.

Join Our Study

We are working to help improve breast health care for Black women everywhere — and we need your help. If you identify as a Black woman over the age of 40, and you have either never had a mammogram, or you haven’t had one in two or more years, we want to hear from you.

Fred Hutch and UW Medicine are doing a study that will help improve breast care in our region.

Breast Cancer Screening at Fred Hutch

The Fred Hutch technologists and radiologists who do your screenings and read the results specialize in breast imaging. Our radiologists are certified by the American Board of Radiology. They have extra training in breast imaging and are better than the national standards.

About Fred Hutch Mammogram Van

The Fred Hutch Mammogram Van is a convenient option for people to get screened. The appointment only takes 15 minutes, and you do not need a referral for an annual screening mammogram. Learn more about mammogram eligibility and what you need to bring with you in the flyers below:

Find a Location near You

Our mammogram van goes to many locations in the Puget Sound area as well as surrounding areas.

Fred Hutch Mammogram Van Locations (PDF)

Other Screening Programs

Colorectal Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society recommends colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 50 for people who have no known risk factors other than age. The frequency depends on the screening method.

Fred Hutch’s Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program offers a personalized approach to risk assessment, screening and prevention for people at high risk for gastrointestinal cancers.

Lung Cancer Screening

Together, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine offer screening for people at high risk for lung cancer.

You may benefit from annual screening if all of these are true:

  • You are between 50 and 80 years old.
  • You currently smoke, or you quit in the last 15 years.
  • You smoked an average of at least 1 pack a day for 20 years or 2 packs a day for 10 years.