It's a weapon in the fight against breast cancer. But a biopsy can be a pretty frightening procedure.

Debbie from Columbia County wants to know if you need a biopsy to determine if a lump is cancerous.

University Hospital Registered Nurse Pam Anderson says when a lump is detected by a mammogram, getting an ultrasound picture is often the next step. And if that ultrasound shows the lump is solid the next step is biopsy.

"You can be very suspicious and say this looks like a cancer, but the only way to know is through a biopsy," said Anderson.

Anderson says women are often scared to get a biopsy, because of the fear of the results. But there is a 95% survival rate for those who detect breast cancer in its earliest stage.

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University Hospital Mobile Mammography Dates:

Feb. 2 • Mattie C. Hall Nursing Home, Aiken
Feb. 5 • Edgefield Medical Center
Feb. 6 • Dillard’s, Aiken
Feb. 7 • Jenkins County Hospital
Feb. 8 • VA Hospital
Feb. 11 • Internal Medicine Partners, 3121 Peach Orchard Road
Feb. 12, 26 • Wills Memorial Hospital
Feb. 13 • Lakeside Schools
Feb. 14 • SRS, A area
Feb. 15 • University Hospital
Feb. 18 • Belle Terrace
Feb. 19 • EZGO
Feb. 20 • Richmond County Health Department
Feb. 21 • Lincoln County Health Department
Feb. 25 • Columbia County Health Department
Feb. 27 • Kendall
Feb. 28 • John Deere

Yearly mammograms are covered by Medicare and most insurance companies. Open to the public for women over 40. Appointments required. Call 706/774-4149 or toll free 866/774-4141