Martha D How 3D Mammography Saved Her Life

“I consider my medical team a very compassionate and encouraging part of my recovery,” added Martha.

Technological advancements in breast cancer detection saved Martha Diaz’s life.

“How do I tell my children I have breast cancer?” These were the initial thoughts of Martha Diaz, a credentialing specialist at Newark Beth Israel when she found out she had breast cancer. An employee of the hospital for over 20 years, Martha credits The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Breast Health Center for saving her life with its state-of-the-art technology.

It was the 3D mammography that discovered an exceptionally small tumor that would have gone undetected in a traditional 2D machine. The diagnosis after a biopsy confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma.

Martha was relieved to hear that because her cancer was caught early, it could be treated via a lumpectomy. She received radiation treatment, five days a week for four weeks, to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Newark Beth Israel’s all-inclusive approach ensures patients not only have access to the latest treatment options for breast cancer, but benefit from the Breast Center’s unwavering focus on patient care, comfort and convenience.

“I consider my medical team a very compassionate and encouraging part of my recovery,” added

Martha. “Through mammograms, ultrasounds and a biopsy, the nurse navigator and the radiologists were simply the best. They made me feel like my case was the most important one at that moment. I was in charge of my cancer and I was able to take control thanks to them.”

Although it may be cliché, Martha truly encourages women to not be afraid to get a mammogram as it truly saved her life. “Cancer is such an ugly disease, but when all is said and done, I feel very blessed. I’m not done here yet.”

RWJBarnabas Health and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—bring a world-class team of researchers and specialists to fight alongside you, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.

Schedule a mammogram at rwjbh.org/mammo.