West Virginia University (WVU) Cancer Institute: Bonnie's Bus and LUCAS
- Program Representative(s) Interviewed: Jenny Ostien, Director, Mobile Cancer Screening Program; Amy Allen, Director of Research Integration, Department of Cancer Prevention and Control; Lauren Hixenbaugh, Program Manager, Mobile Cancer Screening Program
- Location: West Virginia
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Program Overview: The West Virginia University (WVU) Cancer Institute Mobile Cancer
Screening Program is a statewide initiative designed to bring cancer screenings to West Virginia’s most
rural communities. The program operates specialized mobile health units — Bonnie’s Bus and LUCAS — that
provide breast and lung cancer screenings to those who might otherwise face barriers to care. Bonnie’s
Bus, established in 2009, is a mobile mammography unit that provides breast cancer screenings across
the state. LUCAS,
which stands for LUng CAncer Screening, launched in 2021 and is a mobile unit equipped with low-dose
computed tomography (LDCT) technology to screen for lung cancer.
The mobile units provide services to individuals with private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. Bonnie’s Bus also serves patients who qualify for the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. The Mobile Cancer Screening Program leverages grant funding and donations to offer screenings to people without health insurance and operates under the current federal guidance for cancer screening. Patients encounter both a driver and a technologist who help navigate screenings and connect them to follow-up care when needed.
While the mobile units are run similarly, each program has unique features and implementation considerations. Bonnie’s Bus is a smaller vehicle designed to provide a comfortable environment for mammography screenings. In contrast, LUCAS is a much larger, 60-foot 18-wheeler that houses a full CT machine (the same quality as the freestanding clinic). To power this advanced equipment, LUCAS pulls a separate generator with its own chase truck. Both Bonnie’s Bus and LUCAS are self-sufficient and do not require external hookups, enabling them to travel to remote areas that lack access to cancer screening programs. Bonnie’s Bus and LUCAS emphasize accessibility and comfort with an inviting atmosphere and passionate staff.
Bonnie’s Bus and LUCAS are run by a highly dedicated, multi-faceted team, essential to the success of the program. Program management staff oversee funding and administration, while onsite staff rotate shifts to cover the units’ day-to-day needs. On LUCAS, the CT techs also serve as certified tobacco cessation specialists, offering counseling and referrals to telehealth services and local providers for patients interested in tobacco cessation.