Early detection can make all the difference in the fight against breast cancer, and health professionals are encouraging women to make regular mammograms a priority.
That was the central message recently during UPMC Trinity’s Pink Power Lunch and Learn, held at the Steubenville Country Club as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The event brought together health professionals, community members and breast cancer survivors for an afternoon of education, conversation and celebration. A panel discussion addressed advances in breast cancer detection and treatment, improving survival rates, and the importance of supporting women throughout their cancer journeys.
“One thing I’d like to tell everybody is, please, get your screening mammograms done regularly,” said Dr. Latika Sinha, a radiologist at UPMC Trinity’s Images Mammography Center. “Every year, I want to see all of you at the breast center. I can’t stress enough that early detection is the key.”
Sinha emphasized that identifying breast cancer early can provide patients with more treatment options, less complicated procedures, and a greater chance of a full recovery.
“When you are diagnosed early, you have so many options, simpler treatment and full cure,” she said. “Early detection is the key. That screening mammogram is really, really important for all of you.”
Sinha was joined on the panel by Dr. Alisa Sumkin, a diagnostic radiologist who practices primarily at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and serves as an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Kristy Retton, supervisor at Images Mammography Center.
The discussion was moderated by Laurie Labishak, director of marketing and communications for UPMC Trinity.
The conversation also highlighted the personal side of breast cancer care, including the emotional challenges patients and their families face following a diagnosis.
Sumkin praised the strength and resilience of the women she has encountered throughout her career.
“You all look so beautiful, and it’s, honestly, inspiring to me every day,” she said. “Some of the most amazing people I have met are through my job and through the diagnosis of breast cancer and being there with them on their journey. These women are inspirational.”
She noted that a diagnosis can be especially difficult for younger women who are raising families.
“Some of the younger women I diagnose with breast cancer, the first thing they say is, ‘But I’m a mom — what about my kids?’” Sumkin said. “Helping these women through their journey is really something quite special and nothing that I take lightly.”
Advances in technology improving detection
Panelists also discussed how improvements in mammography and diagnostic technology are helping medical professionals identify breast cancer earlier than ever.
Sinha pointed to three-dimensional mammography as a significant advancement, allowing radiologists to identify smaller cancers that may not have been visible through traditional two-dimensional imaging.
“We have 3-D technology. Now, we see that we can get these very small cancers because of the 3-D that we were not able to see on 2-D,” she explained.
For women considered at high risk, additional screening options, including breast MRIs, can provide further information.
Sinha said these advancements have contributed to better detection and improvements in breast cancer survival.
Sumkin reinforced that progress by citing a substantial decline in breast cancer mortality over the past several decades.
She noted that mortality rates decreased by approximately 44% between the 1970s and 2023.
“That’s huge. It’s pretty amazing, right?” Sumkin said.
UPMC Trinity planning mammography center improvements
The discussion also included updates about the future of mammography services in the area following UPMC’s official purchase of Trinity on Oct. 1.
Dwayne Richardson, interim president of UPMC Trinity, addressed attendees during opening remarks and outlined plans to relocate the Images Mammography Center from UPMC Trinity East to the west campus.
Richardson said the organization is looking to expand its mammography services, with a new facility already built out and awaiting equipment.
“Mammography is one of the things we are looking to grow,” Richardson said. “We have an entire brand-new beautiful new shell already built out. We just need the equipment.”
He added that the planned improvements will provide area residents with an updated environment while maintaining a focus on quality, personalized care.
“In time, you’re going to see a brand-new atmosphere that we’re able to provide individuals with quality care with a personal touch,” he said.
Retton said the improvements will include additional equipment and are part of an ongoing effort to make local services more accessible and comfortable for patients.
She also encouraged residents to learn more about the cancer support group available through UPMC Trinity.
Awareness needs to continue beyond October
While Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to recognize survivors and educate the public, panelists stressed that conversations about breast health should continue throughout the year.
Sumkin encouraged women to take an active role in their health, remain aware of changes in their bodies and support others who are facing a diagnosis.
“Just being proactive about your own health is very important as well as spreading the word,” she said.
Retton agreed, saying awareness efforts can help women become more comfortable with the screening process and understand the services available in their own communities.
“It’s so nice in October to be able to celebrate the cancer survivors,” Retton said. “However, we want everybody to come and get their mammogram, and I feel it’s just awareness. It’s making them feel comfortable and letting them know about our services and what we have to offer.”
She emphasized that education and encouragement should not end when October does.
“It really does need to happen all of the time,” Retton said.
For Sinha, one of the most important goals is reaching women who have not yet scheduled their first screening because of fear, anxiety or uncertainty about the process.
She described mammography as a simple but powerful tool that can help detect cancer before symptoms develop.
“I want to see more and more people, people who have still not started getting their mammograms, that kind of population,” Sinha said. “I would love to see people who are so apprehensive about getting screening exams — it’s such an easy tool.”
Sinha encouraged women not to let anxiety prevent them from taking an important step toward protecting their health.
“Early detection is the key, because once you are diagnosed, you have so many treatment options,” she said.
Women interested in scheduling a mammogram can contact UPMC Trinity Images at (740) 283-7808.
As the event demonstrated, celebrating survivors is important, but making sure more women have the information, encouragement and access they need to detect breast cancer early remains an ongoing priority.
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