The Boob Bus wants mammograms to be fun.
A startup co-founded by Rena Vanzo, The Boob Bus offers mobile breast imaging services, as well as cosmetic injectables and genetic testing. All the above happens in Doris Jean, the company’s bus lovingly named after Vanzo’s late grandmother. Vanzo grew the company in the Master of Business Creation program at the University of Utah.
Through 3D mammography and high-density breast ultrasounds interpreted by board-certified and breast-fellowship trained radiologists, Vanzo’s company is helping Utah women receive personalized breast cancer risk assessments.
Vanzo never planned for something like The Boob Bus — a lifelong fascination with Punnett squares initially led Vanzo to a career in genetics.
“I’ve been a genetic counselor for over 15 years, primarily in the pediatric arena,” she said. “Over the years, several of my female family members were diagnosed with breast cancer, which prompted discussions and journeys of genetic testing among my loved ones. My grandmother was a firecracker and one of my biggest role models. Although she didn’t have an identifiable genetic variant, she was a breast cancer survivor and has become my inspiration.”
Her genetics background coupled with personal experience led The Boob Bus to become the first mobile breast imaging service in Utah to also incorporate genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk, according to Vanzo.
The Boob Bus is more than mobile medical services, though — it’s a party.
“Women can book The Boob Bus to come to their home,” Vanzo said. “They can attend and learn together, as well as support each other immediately before and after breast imaging.”
Vanzo’s goal is to modernize mammograms by making them personalized in a spa-like environment, leaving women looking forward to their next screen.
“Utah is ranked 48th out of 50 in the United States for mammogram compliance,” she said, citing facts from the National Cancer Institute. “We need more options designed to overcome women’s fears, objections and barriers regarding breast imaging.”
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