Jefferson Radiology shows cutting-edge breast cancer detection equipment

A local doctor explained the importance of mammograms.

"It's a 15-minute test, and 15 minutes can save your life," Dr. Diana James, who is the director of Breast Imagining at Jefferson Radiology, said.

James said women can't compromise on mammograms.

"If you have any question on a self-breast exam or if you have a provider who's questioning an area on your breast exam and they say 'Hey we want you to go get a mammogram, an ultrasound,' please follow-up," James said.

The Centers for Disease Control finds Connecticut ranks second in the country for breast cancer with one in eight women fighting the disease.

Doctors said early detection is key.

"We've seen a 30 percent reduction in mortality and a lot of that is secondary to just getting your mammogram every year," James said.

Breakthroughs in technology are also helping, like this 3-D imaging table for biopsies, which allow a 360-degree view of the breast tissue and a closer look at any abnormalities.

"Is able to very precisely guide our needle exactly to the spot that needs to be biopsied, and then we're able to take samples to the lab and get a definitive diagnosis," James said. "So, there's no question. We know exactly what's going on."

Jefferson Radiology has the only one in the state and James said it's a game-changer.

"This table enables me to really take everything to that next level," James said. "There's really no unanswered questions anymore, which is phenomenal."