Mammography patients at the West Virginia University Betty Puskar Breast Care Center can now undergo a faster procedure with less radiation exposure.

Dee Headley, director of radiology/radiation oncology, said WVU Hospitals made ahuge investmentwith the purchase of digital mammography, which replaces traditional analog technology. Now, instead of producing film, mammography images are digitally created and stored.

The $3 million system was purchased for Morgantown, WVUH -East and the United Hospital Centerall part of West Virginia United Health System.

The breast care centers two locationsthe original at the Health Sciences Center and the other at WVU Cheat Lake Physiciansare the only Morgantown locations offering digital mammography at this time. The breast care center is part of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center.

In addition to the technology, WVU Hospitals provides mammography patients with a more comfortable procedure. A mammography pada soft, foam cushion placed on the surface of the image detectorcushions the breasts.

Nanci Balassone, WVU radiology manager, said the pads are warmer and provide a more comfortable mammography experience for the patient.

WVU Hospitals has also acquired state-of-the-art ultrasound technology for breast scans, Balassone said.

With these additions, Headley said WVU now hasthe top of the top of everything to give a woman the full spectrum of breast care she needs.

For more information about the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center, visithttp://www.hsc.wvu.edu/mbrcc/bpbcc/.