Date: November 21, 2006
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Maui Memorial Medical Center Receives
New Mammotome® Breast Biopsy System

Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii - November 21, 2006 - Maui Memorial Medical Center's (MMMC) Radiology Department recently received a Mammotome® Breast Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy System thanks to a collaborative partnership between Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation and Maui Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

The new vacuum-assisted biopsy can help a physician make a highly accurate diagnosis of breast abnormality without the need for open surgery. It is a percutaneous (through the skin) procedure that relies on stereotactic mammography, and ultrasound imaging to locate the breast mass and microcalcifications.

"Because the innovative system can be used under three different modalities, MRI, Stereostatic, and Ultrasound; it helps our radiologists effectively locate and remove multiple tissue samples for a better biopsy sample," said Pat Kramer, MMMC's Director of Imaging. "A breast abnormality can also be detected in its earliest stages, which is critical in a patient's effective diagnosis and treatment."

Unlike core needle biopsy, which involves several separate needle insertions to acquire multiple samples, the special Mammotome® biopsy probe used during vacuum-assisted biopsy is inserted only once into the breast through a small skin nick made in the skin of the patient's breast. The procedure can also be performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia.

Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization that raises funds for Maui Memorial Medical Center - the largest acute care hospital of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) and the only full-service, acute care hospital on Maui.

The Maui Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a non-profit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization, also raises funds for Maui Medical Memorial Center in addition to providing quality volunteer services to assist with patients' needs.

For more information, contact Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation: email lcorrea@hhsc.org or call (808) 242-2630.

Pictured (L to R): Amy Hanlon (Maui Memorial Hospital Auxiliary), Lorie Daniels (Maui Memorial Medical Center), Lani Correa (Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation).