When Michelle Huddle signed up for a mammogram in 2023, she wasn’t expecting anything unusual.
She had skipped her annual mammogram for a couple of years and decided it was time to get back on track. She attended the Mammo Ammo event at McPherson Hospital, where she remembers the experience as welcoming, comfortable and easy.
“I had no thoughts of any problems,” Michelle said. “It was just a routine thing.”
But her results showed something that needed a closer look. Additional imaging led to a biopsy, and Michelle was ultimately diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma.
At the time, Michelle had to travel out of town for her biopsy. That meant waiting for an appointment, coordinating schedules so her husband could go with her, taking time away from work and navigating an unfamiliar healthcare facility—all while dealing with the uncertainty of what the biopsy might show.
Today, McPherson Center for Health has technology in place to provide stereotactic breast biopsies locally. With support from the McPherson Healthcare Foundation, the hospital purchased the Affirm Upright Breast Biopsy Guidance System and Trident HD Imager.
The Affirm system works with the hospital’s mammography equipment, allowing the biopsy to be performed in one room. The Trident HD Imager allows biopsy specimens to be imaged immediately, helping make the process more efficient and streamlined for patients.
For patients who need this type of breast biopsy, having the technology available in McPherson can mean fewer trips out of town and less disruption during an already stressful time—something Michelle understands firsthand.
Michelle underwent surgery and continues hormone therapy and follow-up care.
Her experience gave her a new appreciation for the importance of having healthcare services available locally whenever possible.
For Michelle, who was born and raised in McPherson and has relied on local healthcare throughout her life, having access to care in her own community matters.
Her story is also an important reminder during Breast Cancer Awareness Month: don’t put off your mammogram.
If you’re due for your mammogram, talk with your healthcare provider and get it on the calendar.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 620-241-2251, ext. 3950