In April of 2001, I went for a yearly checkup with my gynecologist. I was then sent for my yearly mammogram. I didn't know at the time, but I was to have a diagnostic mammogram this time instead of the yearly screening mammogram. Years ago, I had a biopsy for calcifications that were suspicious. That time it turned out to be benign. This time, I got a call from my gynecologist the day after my mammogram, and she said the radiologist had been trying to locate me to let me know that there was a suspicious mass which looked like cancer. I was then sent to a surgeon and had a painful needle localized biopsy procedure.

They did find invasive cancer, so I had to go back for more surgery which included the removal of 8 lymph nodes. The lymph nodes were clean, but the margins were not. There was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) present besides the original tumor that had already been removed. I was then set up to have a third surgery to remove more breast tissue. Since I am large enough to accommodate another lumpectomy, that is what they did. I then went through 4 rounds of chemotherapy, followed up with 36 radiation treatments. Finally I have come to the end of that long tunnel. I hope I stay cancer free.

The point of my story is to say that I wished the hospital where I had the first biopsy offered the procedure using the Mammotome® System. At least then I would have been spared one invasive surgery. I hope in the future if I have to repeat any of this that the hospital facility will be able to offer this instead of the needle localized procedure.