Lingle has breast biopsy

LIHU‘E — Gov. Linda Lingle underwent a diagnostic breast biopsy procedure Thursday morning four months after a doctors determined from the results of a regular mammogram that she required further examination. Results of the test are expected next week.

Senior adviser Lenny Klompus said in a conference call with media outlets that Lingle, 55 years old, had a similar procedure performed in November 2002 — after she was elected governor but before she took office — that turned out to be negative. He said Lingle has no history of cancer in her family and that he was “99 percent sure” she has had no other biopsies for any other types of cancer.

The “needle localization” procedure, which was performed at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu by Dr. Mari Nakashizuka, involved the removal of a small amount of tissue for testing. Klompus said no lumps or any other material was removed, and said that Nakashizuka had reported that “everything went well and as expected.”

Lingle was under light general anesthetic for roughly 20 minutes, he said. Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona was notified both before Lingle went under and then again after she came out of surgery, Klompus said. Lingle left the hospital after roughly two hours at 11:30 a.m., “feeling good that she had gone through this and as a way to let other people know what needs to be done.”

Klompus, who said Lingle was walking under her own power, and went to her residence where she was resting comfortably, said the governor was “very much a spokesperson” for breast cancer awareness in 2003, and was asked to do public service announcements at the time.

“My sense is that she will encourage women again to ensure they have regular checkups and regular mammograms,” especially those over 40, Klompus said, adding that Lingle will continue to espouse the “importance of breast cancer prevention and early detection” as she speaks out on the issue.