Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42074404›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of environmental research and public health2026

Mobile Cancer Screening Programs: A Systematic Review of Implementation Challenges and Population Access.

Safa ElKefi, Roberta Scheinmann, Alicia K Matthews, Erica Phillips

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Safa ElKefiSchool of System Science & Industrial Engineering, The Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-4293-0404
Roberta ScheinmannSchool of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Alicia K MatthewsSchool of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-0074-681X
Erica PhillipsDivision of General Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6803-2442

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis review aimed to synthesize evidence on the design characteristics, implementation considerations, and operational challenges of mobile cancer screening units.

methodsA PRISMA-guided review was conducted. Data extracted included screening type, target population, program characteristics, mobile unit features, and reported implementation barriers. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

resultsSixty-four articles published across 13 countries met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions focused on breast cancer screening (n = 37), followed by lung (n = 11), cervical (n = 6), colorectal, skin, prostate, and multi-cancer screening programs. MSUs were most frequently deployed in urban areas (21 urban/18 rural/17 both). Several comparative studies (fixed programs vs. MSUs) reported higher screening uptake in mobile programs, although findings varied substantially by setting, population, and study design. However, adherence and clinical outcomes varied, often reflecting baseline socioeconomic differences in the populations served. Common implementation barriers included follow-up coordination challenges, program costs, equipment and space limitations, and gaps in referral and reimbursement systems.

conclusionsThese findings highlight the potential of mobile screening units as public health strategies to expand access to cancer screening while underscoring the need for stronger implementation frameworks and long-term evaluation of program outcomes.

Indexed as

Early Detection of CancerMass ScreeningMobile Health UnitsNeoplasmsHumanscancer preventioncancer screeningcommunity healthmobile clinicmobile unit

Identifiers

PMID42074404
PMCPMC13116370

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.