Detecting breast cancer early is key, UPMC Trinity panel says

STEUBENVILLE -- Increasing awareness about receiving mammograms is important, health professionals explained Thursday.

“One thing I’d like to tell everybody is, please, get your screening mammograms done regularly,” explained Dr. Latika Sinha. “Every year, I want to see all of you at the breast center. I can’t stress enough that early detection is the key. Once you are diagnosed early, you have so many options, simpler treatment and full cure. Early detection is the key. That screening mammogram is really, really important for all of you.

Sinha was speaking during a panel discussion that was part of UPMC Trinity’s Pink Power lunch and learn session held at the Steubenville Country Club. The event was part of the local observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it offered a chance to share information -- and to celebrate breast cancer survivors.

A radiologist at UPMC Trinity’s Images Mammography Center, Sinha was joined on the panel by Dr. Alisa Sumkin, who practices primarily at UPMC McGee-Womens Hospital and Kristy Retton, the supervisor at Images. With Laurie Labishak, the director of marketing, communications and public relations as well as interim director of philanthropy at UPMC Trinity serving as moderator, they answered a wide variety of questions, ranging from the advances being made in diagnostic processes to improvements in mortality rates.

“You all look so beautiful, and it’s, honestly, inspiring to me every day. 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. I see people go through the most difficult times,” explained Sumkin, a diagnostic radiologist and assistant professor of radiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

“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?’ Oh my God it’s really rough, and as a mother, it’s so awful to hear, but helping these women through their journey is really something quite special and nothing that I take lightly,” she continued.

UPMC’s purchase of Trinity was made official on Oct. 1. Dwayne Richardson, interim president of UPMC Trinity, said during his opening remarks one of the changes area residents will see is the moving of the Images center from UPMC Trinity East to the west campus.

“Mammography is one of the things we are looking to grow,” Richardson explained. “We have an entire brand new beautiful new shell already built out. We just need the equipment. In time, you’re going to see a brand-new atmosphere that we have that we’re able to provide individuals with quality care with a personal touch.”

Evolving technology has made it possible to detect issues sooner, the panelists agreed.

“Definitely -- we are finding cancer earlier and earlier,” Sinha said. “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. If you are high-risk, we can do MRIs. So, definitely, the cancer detection has gotten so much better than before, and I definitely see an improvement in the mortality rate.”

Sumkin said the numbers show the improvements are real.

“I think that since the 1970s or early 1908s up until 2023, our mortality rate has decreased by 44%. That’s huge. It’s pretty amazing, right?” she said.

After the presentation, the panelists said events like Thursday’s were good ways to share information.

“I think we need to raise awareness into how important it is to get your screening mammograms and be aware of your body,” Sumkin said. “Be supportive of others who may have the diagnosis. Just being proactive about your own health is very important as well as spreading the word.”

Retton agreed getting the word out is important.

“It’s so nice in October to be able to celebrate the cancer survivors,” she 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. If they know our services in the area, they will come and see us. We want every woman to come in and get their mammogram.”

She added while all the events in October are important, it’s also important to continue to build awareness throughout the year.

“It really does need to happen all of the time,” Retton said. “I’m hoping we get more awareness in this area to let them know what our services are. We’re updating everything. We are going to be moving to west, and we’re going to be getting new equipment. Our equipment now is good, but we’re going to be getting even more equipment. So, let’s make everything better.”

Retton added it’s critical to get the word out about the cancer support group.

For Sinha, bringing people from around the community to share information can make a difference.

“It’s very nice to see that all of these ladies took time in their busy lives to come here. I want to see more and more people, people who have still not started getting their mammograms, that kind of population. All of these ladies have already gone through the whole thing, and I would love to see people who are so apprehensive about getting screening exams -- it’s such an easy tool,” Sinha said.

“Early detection is the key, because once you are diagnosed, you have so many treatment options. So, simple treatments, simpler options, more available resources. I feel like instead of waiting -- and it’s just a little X-ray of your breast, so simple, and it’s covered by insurance. The whole anxiety thing, I think, prevents people from coming. But if it was any cancer, this is the one that you can easily come in and get diagnosed.

Mammograms can be scheduled by calling UPMC Trinity Images at (740) 283-7808.