We provide services:

Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
(304) 293-8012.

Services include:

• Screening mammography:
  Every woman that comes to the Center is offered breast self-exam by the nurse. We encourage women to have a baseline mammogram by 40 years of age. Between the ages of 41 to 50 years women should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. Women 50 years and older should have a mammogram annually. The Cancer Center and some of its regional offices have purchased the most advanced breast imaging system available—digital mammography.  Mammography patients can now undergo a faster procedure with less radiation exposure.  This state-of-the-art screening technology gives radiologists the ability to manipulate images for better visualization of breast tissue. This technology is produced by the Siemans corporation and is called the MAMMOMAT NovationDR. Click here for more information.
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• Breast ultrasound
  uses sound waves to identify palpable areas in the breast. It also provides the radiologist with information such as whether an area of concern is simply a cyst or a solid lump. For women under 30 years this examination may be ordered prior to a mammogram, if there is a lump. The technologist places gel on the breast and gently glides the transducer over the area that is being examined. The room is dimly lit and the image appears on a screen, similar to your television.
  
  This procedure is not uncomfortable and is well tolerated by women and there is no special preparation prior to the examination.
  
  
• Needle localization
  for biopsy is a two-part procedure performed by the radiologist and surgeon together. The first part begins at the Center. The technologist will take 2 images of the breast that will be biopsied and uses a special compression paddle with an opening. The technologist positions your breast so that the area of concern is within the opening in the paddle. After the breast is washed with a special soap and numbing spray is applied the radiologist will place a needle into the area. Films are taken to document that the correct area has been located. A small amount of blue dye is injected through the needle in your breast to also mark the area from inside for the surgeon. A small wire will then be slipped inside the needle. This wire has a loop at the end and will open in the breast tissue. Women usually do not feel this. The wire is taped in place and films are again obtained. A dressing is placed over the wire and you are transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital Same Day Surgery Unit on 2W by wheel chair. The day after the procedure the nurse from the Center will call you.
  
  Women are called prior to the procedure by the nurse at the Center to discuss the procedure and instructions. It is important not to take aspirin or blood-thinning medicines for 3 days prior to the needle localization.
  
  
• Galactography
  is a special breast image that uses dye to identify the ducts within the breast. This procedure may be ordered for women who have drainage from the nipple.
  
  After a consultation with a breast surgeon, a small filament is placed into the nipple. A small amount of dye is injected into the identified duct by the radiologist and images are obtained. This procedure does not usually cause discomfort and there are no special instructions to be followed before this examination.
  
  
• Stereotactic needle core biopsy
  provides the woman with an alternative from the usual surgical excisional biopsy. This technique allows a radiologist to obtain tissue samples from an abnormal area that has been identified on a mammogram, using a special biopsy instrument and computer enhanced mammogram images. Stereotactic core biopsies are well accepted by women. This procedure allows a woman to return to her normal activities very rapidly and has an excellent cosmetic result. Stereotactic core biopsy is less expensive than excisional biopsy, there is no scarring, and only local anesthetic is used.
  
  The Betty Puskar Breast Care Center offers stereotactic core needle biopsy using the prone table system. As with the needle biopsy we request that the woman not take aspirin or blood thinning medicines for 3 days prior to the procedure. Also the woman must be able to lie on her abdomen for 1^1/2 to 2 hours.