"This can't be happening to me," thought Mavis Taylor when her doctor said her mammogram showed something unusual that should be explored further. "I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family and I just couldn't believe it might have struck me."

No Incision Needed

For Taylor, further exploration meant undergoing a stereotactic breast biopsy, a procedure that enables patients to have a biopsy without an incision and under a local anesthetic. Although the stereotactic breast biopsy is less painful than a surgical biopsy and doesn't disfigure the breast, Taylor was still scared.

"The actual biopsy took only 20 minutes, although I was at Tri-City for a total of about two hours," recounts Taylor. "I walked out feeling fine with a Band-Aid over a tiny scar that looked like a nick."

Less Painful than the Dentist

Taylor waited three days for the results, which to her relief ended up being negative. "After all that, I now realize there was nothing to be afraid of," Taylor adds confidently. "The stereotactic breast biopsy was less painful than going to a dentist. Best of all, it was fast and eliminated the possibility that I might have breast cancer."

According to Donald Ponec, MD, Director of Interventional Radiology at Tri-City Medical Center, Taylor's experience is not unusual. The majority of women who have abnormal mammograms and then undergo biopsies usually find out the suspicious area is negative.

Early Detection, No Scarring

With Tri-City Medical Center's recent addition of a stereotactic breast biopsy table, funded by a grant from the Tri-City Hospital Foundation. Dr. Ponec hopes more women who detect abnormal lumps in their breasts will come forward sooner.

"The earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher the chances of survival," warns Dr. Ponec. "The stereotactic breast biopsy is so quick and accurate, leaving virtually no scar, that the fear once associated with biopsies can be eliminated in those women who are candidates for this procedure."

Another benefit to stereotactic breast biopsy is that there is little or no chance of scarring in the breast. If a surgical biopsy is negative and causes scarring, future mammograms to monitor that area of the breast can be more difficult to interpret. According to Dr. Ponec, the stereotactic breast biopsy simplifies interpretation of future mammograms.

"This is very important because we carefully follow up with women who have had this procedure," explains Dr. Ponec. "Those who have negative biopsies require mammograms six, 12 and 24 months after the biopsy to make sure there is no sign of cancer.

How It Works

When undergoing a stereotactic breast biopsy, the patient lies on a table that has a hole in it from which the patient's breast protrudes. With data from the patient's mammogram, the computer connected to the stereotactic breast biopsy table determines the coordinates of the suspicious area of the breast. Using the computer coordinates, a needle is then aligned to the breast and quickly punctures the area to obtain a sample of the tissue in question. The needle is inserted and then pulled out in a matter of seconds, making the procedure virtually painless.

Some patients undergo the stereotactic breast biopsy on their lunch breaks and then go right back to work. However, the emotional trauma associated with the possibility that the woman might have cancer sometimes makes it difficult for her to return to work right after the procedure.

Taylor's recommentation: "I would encourage anyone who detects something abnormal in their breast to pursue it further. If the results are negative, it's a big relief."