Trinity Medical Center West now uses MRI technology for better diagnosis of breast cancer for local patients in Jefferson County, adding to the technology available in Wheeling.

 It prevents breast cancer patients from traveling many miles to get treatment away from the Steubenville area.

 “It's very convenient with it being here in town. I had to travel to Pittsburgh for the last two years,” said Barb Deleonardis, a breast cancer survivor. “And this last year, I had the MRI here."   

Doctors at Trinity said they are able to better treat breast cancer patients with the new technology.

"Right now, we have been using it to stage patients with breast cancer to see the extent of the disease,” said Dr. Belen Vargas.

It allows doctors to use a variety of ways to spot cancerous areas, in addition to the biopsies and mammograms they already perform.

“It's very good in detecting breast cancer in patients, young patients with so-called dense breasts. The breast is so white you can't see anything [in the scan],” said Vargas.

Deleonardis said the choice to come to Steubenville over Pittsburgh has helped get through her treatment.

“It means a lot for me to have my treatment done here as compared to going to Pittsburgh where I don't know anybody," said Deleonardis. “To receive that diagnosis is a shock. And it affects your family, your co workers.”  

With Monday as the last day of breast cancer awareness month, patients said having this treatment available locally will help them save time with their treatment.