Gov. Linda Lingle had a biopsy yesterday to check for breast cancer at the recommendation of a doctor after a routinely scheduled mammogram in November.

The governor underwent the biopsy under light anesthesia at The Queen's Medical Center yesterday morning. She was released from the hospital after two hours and does not expect to resume work at the state Capitol until Monday morning.

Lenny Klompus, Lingle's senior adviser for communications, said the results are expected by the middle of next week. Dr. Mari Nakashizuka, who performed the biopsy, is expected to answer questions about the procedure after the results.

Lingle, 55, is a regular swimmer and is considered in good health. She is a former smoker who has spoken publicly about the difficulty of quitting, but does not have a history of cancer in her family.

In 2002, Lingle had a biopsy at Maui Memorial Hospital after a routine mammogram suggested an abnormality in her right breast. The biopsy found "atypical cells" but no cancer. She had a second biopsy later that year at Kapiolani Breast Center at the recommendation of a doctor after a mammogram but that also was negative for cancer.

In the procedure Lingle underwent yesterday, a needle was used to remove a tissue sample that will be tested for irregularities.

Klompus said Lingle will use her personal experience as a reminder for women, especially those over 40, to get regular mammograms and health checkups. "The governor continues to emphasize the importance of breast cancer prevention and early detection," he said.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women after skin cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer among women after lung cancer.

Risk factors for breast cancer include older age, a family history of the disease, radiation therapy, dense breast tissue, obesity and drinking alcohol.

State Sen. Rosalyn Baker, D-5th (W. Maui, S. Maui), survived a cervical cancer scare more than three decades ago. Her cancer was detected during a routine pap smear.

"Gov. Lingle's need to go in for a breast biopsy is just another call to all women to make sure that they do their monthly self breast exam, that they get regular checkups, that if they're over 40 they're supposed to get a mammogram," said Baker, one of the state's leading advocates for cancer research and prevention. "It's just really important because breast cancer is one of those cancers that if it's detected early, caught early and treated early, it's a hundred percent curable.

"I'm delighted that the governor is making her situation public because it will help raise the awareness of other women and make sure that we take care of our health."