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New Arkansas Breast Cancer Treatment Center To Open At CARTI

David Monteith
/
KUAR News

Breast cancer screenings could become more accurate, more comfortable, and more common in Little Rock. That's the goal of the new Breast Center at CARTI, which officials announced Monday will open in June.

The new center aims to use the latest technology while also making the cancer screenings a more pleasant experience for women. Dr. Stacy Smith-Foley, a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, will lead the new center.

"We are offering a comprehensive breast imaging program, including screening and diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound – both screening and diagnostic there as well – as well as high-risk screening with breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)," Smith-Foley said. "Additionally, we offer high-risk screening and genetic testing."

According to Smith-Foley, many women delay or skip their annual mammograms because the procedures are inconvenient and uncomfortable.

"As women, we're really good caregivers, but we're often not as good about taking care of ourselves, so we're hoping that this center, in that it is comprehensive and convenient, will encourage women to take care of themselves, and to come and get their screening mammograms.”

Smith-Foley said Arkansas has one of the highest rates of mortality from breast cancer and that women in the state are among the least likely to get screened when compared to most other states.

Prior to the opening of the new facility, women were required to have referrals from their doctor in order to be treated at CARTI. The new Breast Center will allow women to make appointments without referrals. Features at the center have also been modeled after spas, Smith-Foley explained, in an effrot to make the experience more comfortable.

The Breast Center at CARTI is currently accepting calls for appointments and will begin seeing patients in June.

David Monteith worked as a reporter for KUAR News between 2015 and July 2022.