Lingle biopsy The results of a biopsy of Gov.-elect Linda Lingle shows that she does not have breast cancer, her doctor said today.
results negative
The governor elect says
she is grateful for the news
Star-Bulletin staff"I was delighted to visit with the Gov.-elect Lingle this morning to tell her that her biopsy results are in and that the abnormal cells we were concerned about are absolutely not cancerous," Dr. Laura Weldon Hoque, medical director of the Kapiolani Breast Center, said in a press release issued this afternoon.
"Atypical cells are not at all unusual, but we always want to check them out. Gov.-elect Lingle followed all the appropriate steps in the process of getting the right information and this outcome is very good news."
Lingle had a regularly scheduled mammogram in April, which showed a suspicious shadow, Hoque said. Then in July, another mammogram and a biopsy were performed. That biopsy tested negative for cancer, but showed atypical cells.
Another mammogram about two weeks ago still showed a shadow, so Hoque called for another biopsy.
The 49-year-old governor-elect was given a general anesthetic Tuesday during the biopsy surgery, which went well, according to Hoque.
Lingle said she was grateful for the good news.
"I know that tens of thousands of women go through this every single day and I have a deep appreciation for how difficult and stressful it is to be told there is something that doesn't look quite right after having a mammogram. I'm very relieved to have a final answer, and I'm very grateful for this particular answer," she said according to the press release.
"I really do encourage every woman to have an annual mammogram; there are so many advantages to early monitoring and detection if there is a problem," she added.