Medical Reports: Pad the Pain

WSVN -- For Raquel Arriaga, breast cancer is always on her radar.

Raquel Arriaga: "I have a sister who has breast cancer, and she's a survivor of it."

Even though breast cancer scares her, Raquel hates getting a yearly mammogram.

Raquel Arriaga: "I dread having a mammogram because the plate is hard and very uncomfortable, especially when they press the plate on your breast it hurts."

Like many women, there were years she'd just skip the exam, something that worries doctors.

Patti Speropoulos: "Early detection by getting a yearly mammogram saves lives by finding cancer in the early stages to make it treatable."

Now, a simple new invention is making the whole process easier for women. At Universal Imaging of Florida in Hialeah, they're using what's called the MammoPad.

Patti Speropoulos: "The MammoPad is simply a foam rubber pad with a peel back sticking that is used for each patient."

The MammoPad is stuck right on the plate where the breast is placed for the exam.

Patti Speropoulos: "It provides a cushion for the patient, which allows them to have more comfort during the exam. It provides a little warmth, so it's not a shock to the system when the tissue is placed on the cold plate."

Good for the patient and even better for a good reading of the breast.

Patti Speropoulos: "By making it a little more comfortable, the technician is able to get sometimes a little more compression to get a better exam."

The MammoPad was used for Raquel's last exam.

Raquel Arriaga: "The MammoPad is soft. Your breast doesn't hit the plate that's cold. A huge difference."

Diana Diaz: "The MammoPad doesn't cost the patient anything extra and hopefully will be in many doctors offices soon."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Universal Imaging of Florida
14462 Commerce Way
Hialeah, FL 33016
(305) 821-8585