YOUR LIFE YOUR HEALTH

Same-day biopsy offers women greater peace of mind in breast cancer treatment

Oct 7, 2021, 6:37 PM | Updated: Oct 8, 2021, 8:37 am

SALT LAKE CITY — Recent advancements in screening and treatment are making it possible for people to be treated for breast cancer more easily and successfully. One Utah woman is grateful she didn’t delay care.

Peggy Huffaker turns 70-years-old next year and is also celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary to her husband, Tim Huffaker — both are milestones she’s not taking for granted after realizing how fragile life can be.

“I had had a mammogram the June before, and it was totally clear,” Huffaker recalls. But on February 28th, 2020 she realized something wasn’t right.

“Something said to me find the lump,” she said. “My hand went right to it. I found the lump and had to gain my composure.”

Huffaker had already endured both colon cancer in 2008 and kidney cancer in 2011. The thought of battling cancer once again was overwhelming.

Peggy and Tim Huffaker found peace walking around the Utah State Capitol near their home when Peggy was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She said it was good for both her physical and mental health. (Jackson Grimm, KSL TV)

“I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

She went in for additional screening just days later and was grateful to also do a same-day biopsy at that initial appointment.

“We’ve all had tests that we’ve had to wait weeks and two weeks to get the results for, and that’s horrible. It’s like your life stops,” Huffaker described.

Dr. Brett Parkinson, medical director of breast imaging for Intermountain Healthcare, says same-day biopsy was pioneered at Intermountain Medical Center a couple years ago and has since been widely implemented across all Intermountain systems.

“We realized that our patients would come with a problem. They would have a palpable lump or something that we had discovered on mammography, only to be told they needed a biopsy, but we would have to reschedule them,” he explained. “And that was very anxiety-provoking because sometimes depending upon the woman’s schedule, if she had to take off work again, she would have to schedule for a week or two later.”

Peggy and Tim Huffaker will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year. Peggy say it’s a milestone she isn’t taking lightly after undergoing treatment for breast cancer last year. She treasures the time she gets to spend with her husband. (Jackson Grimm, KSL TV)

“The psychological costs were enormous of those patients having to wait,” he added.

Now patients get results back within two days. Parkinson says his clinic builds in time to allow for same-day biopsies.

“We want it to be the standard of care, because no woman should have to wait for a biopsy after she’s been told she might have cancer, especially when one third of those patients whom we biopsy will ultimately have cancer,” he said.

Huffaker also had a special localization marker called a SAVI scout placed in the tumor at the time of biopsy, eliminating yet another visit and reducing contact with caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The marker uses radar-reflecting technology to guide the surgeon during a lumpectomy and replaces the old model of care which required the surgeon to use a metallic marker as a guide to place a wire in the breast to find the tumor.

“We place at the time of biopsy, while the patient is still anesthetized, a very small little clip that is activated in the operating room when the surgeon puts a probe on the breast,” Parkinson said. “It makes for a more accurate surgery, because it gives the surgeon a reading of how far to go.”

TRAVELING: Peggy and Tim Huffaker both enjoy traveling together. She says they still have many more places they want to visit now that her treatment for breast cancer is over. (Used with permission: Peggy Huffaker)

Huffaker was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.

She had surgery just ten days after her first visit, followed by four months chemotherapy, and a month of radiation. She is now on an estrogen hormone blocking medication to keep her condition under control.

“You’d feel horrible one day and OK the next,” Huffaker said.

She and her husband found peace walking around the state capitol near their home, baking and sharing time with their four children and six grandchildren.

Though Huffaker was nervous to have her grandchildren see her bald, on one occasion she pulled aside her oldest grandson, Jackson, and showed him her head.

“I said, ‘I’m doing this for you and your three sisters and your two cousins because I want to see you grow up,’” she said. “He got teary and just hugged and hugged… and it was very tender.”

Peggy Huffaker is grateful to be healthy today to spend time with her six grandchildren. She looks forward to being able to watch them grow. (Jackson Grimm, KSL TV)

“It’s fun to watch them grow and to see their personalities blossom. They’re just wonderful grandkids,” she said.

She and her husband also look forward to many more years traveling together. “I look forward to doing everything with her,” Tim Huffaker said. “The best part of Peggy is that she loves everyone unconditionally and her life is not about her, it’s about everyone else.”

Today Huffaker’s condition is stable and will be monitored. She urges women to not delay their screening. “Make your appointment and go!”

Parkinson says women 40-years-old and older of average risk should go in for annual screening mammogram and come in earlier if they find a lump or experience any other concerning symptom.

Huffaker was grateful she didn’t wait until her next scheduled mammogram in June before seeking help.

“I didn’t wait until my yearly mammogram– who knows what would have happened,” Huffaker said.

“Modern medicine is fantastic but one of the keys to modern medicine is getting the examinations and being checked out,” Tim Huffaker said.

Parkinson says screening is the best way to catch cancer in its earliest and most treatable stage.

“If you delay a screening, your tumor will grow, because breast cancers do grow. So we want to catch them very early on,” he explained. “If a woman’s cancer is found in stage zero when it’s still confined within the duct… the survival rate approaches 100%.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Your Life Your Health

Tina Gomez was 27 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis....

Emma Benson

‘It’s different every day’: Understanding multiple sclerosis and its prevalence in Utah

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, a chance to talk about this neurological condition which affects more than 30,000 Utahns.

14 hours ago

...

Emma Benson

National Nutrition Month: How to talk about body image with your kids

March is National Nutrition Month, a campaign designed to promote informed eating choices and positive body image.

7 days ago

Brady Dransfield (right) poses with his father, Scott Dransfield shortly after transplant surgery. ...

Emma Benson

‘Listen to your body’: Transplant survivor shares story for World Kidney Day

A kidney transplant survivor is warning others about kidney disease, including on World Kidney Day.

15 days ago

Mark Seguin in the hospital...

Emma Benson

Colon Cancer Awareness Month: Survivor urges screenings, early detection 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to raise awareness of the number one cancer killer for men under 50, and number two for women under 50.

22 days ago

Comiske riding her stationary bike, something she does every morning....

Emma Benson

Strategies to lengthen your life

The CDC says, on average, women tend to live 5-7 years longer than men because men have a higher rate of cardiovascular disease, but there are simple, healthy ways to increase your life expectancy.

29 days ago

Chris and Aimee Tyler, speaking about their experience with Chris's pancreatic cancer diagnosis....

Emma Benson

‘Cancer can affect anybody’: Utah couple processes pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and often goes undetected until it's advanced. One Utah County man is fighting for more time with his loved ones.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Same-day biopsy offers women greater peace of mind in breast cancer treatment