First anniversary of Mammography and Medical Options Act (MAMMO Act)

VA marks the first anniversary of the enactment of the Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act (MAMMO Act), which expands access to breast cancer screenings and the provision of state-of-the-art treatment and clinical trials through partnerships with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The MAMMO Act expands access to high-quality breast cancer screening and treatment services for Veterans. The past year has yielded significant results in expanding breast care services.

The MAMMO Act builds on VA’s commitment to ensure all Veterans have access to high-quality breast-imaging services at a VA facility or through VA’s Community Care Network of providers. VA collaborates with the NCI and the Department of Defense (DOD) to deliver comprehensive breast care for male and female Veterans, those in rural areas, Veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injuries or disorders, or other disabilities and transitioning service members.  

Many requirements have been fulfilled to date by VA and its partners to provide Veterans with high-quality breast imaging services and state-of-the-art care where and when it is needed while bolstering VA’s cancer research.

Requirements VA has fulfilled:

• Launched the first site, of five, at Clarksburg VA in May 2023, in a three-year pilot program for patients to have their screening mammogram at their local VA clinic and interpreted by a breast radiologist at another location.
• Reached the final stages of upgrading all mammography technology to state-of-the-art 3D digital breast imaging.
• Developed a data dashboard to monitor breast cancer screening rates of Veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injury and major limb loss.

VA continues to work on fully implementing the MAMMO Act, advancing breast cancer screening and treatment for all Veterans, and ensuring all Veterans have access to clinically appropriate, innovative, high-quality breast cancer screening and care coordination within VA and in the community.

VA providers and mammography programs manage screening programs and provide care coordination to help patients navigate the health care system and offer a variety of breast cancer resources and information.

Contact your VA primary care provider to discuss any breast cancer concerns or for more information about mammography and scheduling.