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New Technology to Fight Breast Cancer
Betty Tilly
When Betty Tilly, a registered nurse in Lakeland’s Radiology department, volunteered to undergo a breast MRI, she was helping create a protocol for the new program. She didn’t expect her screening to come back with a positive result.
“I have faithfully had mammograms every year, and was due for one. So I thought I would participate in the breast MRI study because I had read wonderful things about the new technology,” says Betty. “I’m fortunate breast MRI results are so detailed.”
Betty is doing well now after treatment including a partial lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
“My cancer was caught in the very early stages,” says Betty. “The breast MRI allowed my doctors to be careful about my treatment plan, as they had so much more information with the MRI results. It’s amazing when you compare the film from traditional mammography to breast MRI.”
Breast MRI is ideal for women who have had breast cancer or have a family history of the disease. It is valuable for women with ruptured silicone implants, or with inconclusive mammogram or ultrasound results. Breast MRI also screens the opposite breast at the same time, which might have undiagnosed cancer.
Having a breast MRI can help you avoid an unnecessary biopsy. Breast MRI provides better information for patients who need to decide between having a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. Breast MRI is also very effective in monitoring treatment by chemotherapy, allowing oncologists to better manage their patients’ course of care.
“Make sure you do self-breast checks, have a mammogram every year, and definitely talk to your doctor about Breast MRI if your mammogram comes back with a ‘suspicious’ result,” Betty advises. “Due to my experience with cancer, I learned that there are a lot of survivors. Breast MRI can help you protect yourself.”
To schedule an appointment, call (269) 556-2810 in St. Joseph or (269) 687-1400 in Niles.
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