I had a regular yearly mammogram in November 2001 and was told that there were suspicious areas on both breasts. After getting more films and an ultrasound, I was advised to get biopsies done.

The irony of this is that a few months before I was looking at a women's magazine and found an advertisement for the Mammotome^® System. I pulled out the card and saved it - never thinking I would need it, but as it turned out, I was very glad I did. I went to the web site and read all the information, including addresses of surgery centers. I felt more comfortable when I called my primary care physician and got the name of a surgeon who uses Mammotome^®.

In December 2001, I got an ultrasound-guided biopsy (needle aspiration) of a cyst in my left breast, which was, fortunately, benign. In February 2002, I went for the stereotactic biopsy of my right breast. The surgeon fully explained the procedure. I did have some discomfort while the biopsy was being done because the site was deep within the breast. I felt a burning sensation, which I told the surgeon about afterward. He said I should have let him know during the procedure because he would have given me more local anesthesia. The surgeon was assisted by a surgical nurse experienced with the procedure, and they worked as a team. They were very reassuring before, during and after the procedure. I even got to see what the surgeon removed.

The biopsy procedure took about 20 minutes, there was very little bleeding and only a tiny swelling that I could see. The surgeon put a big adhesive bandage on the incision and wrapped a wide elastic bandage around my torso. I was told to keep it on for 24 hours, and not to shower or bathe for that period of time, then to wear a support bra, which is very important, because if you don't, it hurts a little when you bend over.

Overall, I had next to no discomfort afterwards and just a little discoloration at the needle site. I called and got the results (benign) two days later. I am very grateful that this procedure was available to me. It is always difficult to know you have breast problems, but the ease, speed, comfort and fact that this was an out-patient surgical procedure made all the difference.