More than 212,000 cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Almost 41,000 women will die from the disease.

Self exam and regular mammograms are our first line of defense. But what if something turns up? In October's Health Check: a biopsy procedure that's earning rave reviews.

While it's no day at the office, Susan Gruhn didn't think a mammogram would be a big deal. The 52-year-old had them yearly and had no family history of breast cancer. But something turned up.

A mammogram and ultrasound weren't enough for doctors to determine if that "something" was cancer and Susan says, "The not knowing: you can't live with that. You have to know one way or the other what it is."

Dr. Patricia Helke says, "I would have probably given her a 50/50 chance on the mammogram."

But Doctor Helke provided answers with stereotactic breast biopsy.

Patients lie on a specially designed table. Three x-ray images are taken -- center, left, and right. Those digital images immediately appear on a computer screen, providing a map for radiologists who can mark the exact location. Vacuum suction takes multiple samples that are then sent to the lab for diagnosis.

While any procedure is daunting, doctors say that stereotactic biopsy can usually be done in an hour or less with no scarring and little to no pain.

Susan Gruhn says, "I've had moles, mole removals, that were actually worse. So it wasn't bad at all."

Dr. Helke calls stereotactic breast biopsy the biggest advancement in radiology in the past 10 years but it is underutilized.

The Alegent Health radiologist says, "There are still standard referral patterns where a patient's physician refers them to a surgeon and there's still not a lot of education out there. Women need to be aware of other options for breast biopsy."

Susan Gruhn found out she has a pre-cancerous condition that puts her at higher risk of developing the disease over the next 10 years. Knowing allowed her to put aside the fear, get back to life, and focus on a game plan for the future.

Doctor Helke says stereotactic breast biopsy is an option for 75 percent of women. Small-breasted women are not good candidates.

At Alegent, results are available within 24 to 48 hours.

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