NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Outside Norfolk International Airport, people were able to check their bags and their breasts.

Sentara’s 3D Mobile Mammography van that was parked outside offered employees, passengers and passers-by the opportunity to obtain potentially lifesaving screening.

“I always wondered how you can get a mammogram done in such tight capacity, but it’s actually roomy here,” Tiffney Smith said.

Smith, an airport employee, popped in during a work break. It only took abut 15 minutes.

Sentara staff screened 2,600 women on the mobile unit last year. They detected 418 abnormal results, which led to 20 breast cancer diagnosis.

“It tears out a lot of barriers,” said Darlene North, mobile mammography team lead. “A lot of ladies in those areas don’t have transportation, so we’re coming to them.”

North would like to get to more women screened, especially in high-demand areas.

“We’re hoping to get more funding for some more vans,” North said. “We’re going to have one on the Peninsula exclusively, and then an additional one for the Hampton Roads area.”

With two more vans, Sentara said it could offer 2,000 more screenings a year.

“Early detection is extremely important,” said radiologist Dr. Zeal Patel. “You know, if you detect breast cancer early enough, there is a five year survival rate greater than 95%, which is incredible.”

Convenience and family brought Gina Davis on-board the van.

“Very strong family history,” Davis said. “My grandmother, my mom, my sister have all had breast cancer.”

She lost her mom when she was 19, and her grandmother died when her mom was just 11.

“Having the mobile unit conveniently at one of my work sites, it made it so simple to make sure I got this done.” Davis said.

With a fundraising goal of $1 million, Sentara hopes to save more time and more lives down the road.

The mobile mammography unit will be at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and all weekend during performances of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

If you want to learn more about how to help bring those new mobile units to Hampton Roads, click here.