EUGENE, Ore. -- When a woman finds out she has breast cancer it is the beginning of a long journey. It can be overwhelming with so many decisions and specialists involved. 

Johanna Higdon, a physician with Women's Care, says the type of breast cancer and the stage it is in determines what happens next. 

Higdon says mammograms are essential for early detection of breast cancer and the earlier you can find it the better the outcomes are. 

"We have a new 3D machine here and that's basically looking at more layers of the breast tissue. It increases the chances of finding an abnormality," Higdon said. 

Higdon says the new machines have curved paddles making it a easier and more comfortable process for women.

She says advancements in the last two decades have made it possible for highly individualized treatment plans to greatly improve patient outcomes.